Official Warsaw Calls Russia's Threat to Strike Poland with Missiles Absurd

Official Warsaw has called Russia's threats of potential missile strikes against Poland due to the opening of a US missile defence base, which the Russians called a ‘provocation’, inadequate.  This is reported by RMF24.

In particular, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the deployment of a US missile defence base in Poland a provocation, saying that it fits into the long-standing practice of placing NATO infrastructure closer to Russia's borders. 

Zakharova said that this ‘increases the overall level of the nuclear threat’ and that Russia considers the base to be one of its priority targets and would be ready to strike the base with its available means ‘if necessary’.

In response, Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski stressed that the base is defensive in nature. 

‘Its purpose is to intercept ballistic missiles, in particular from countries whose policy is based on constant threats to someone, statements that they will invade somewhere... If Russia resumes threats, it means that in the future the US and NATO will have to strengthen air defences along the entire eastern flank to make such threats unrealistic to carry out,’ Wronski said.

He added that Russia's threats are based on incorrect assumptions and statements that the base allegedly houses nuclear weapons, ‘which is absurd.’ 

On 13 November, a US missile defence base was opened in Redzikowo, Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland. This is the first permanent facility of the US armed forces on Polish territory.

According to Ukrinform, on Thursday, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and Minister of National Defence Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said that the situation with Russia's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at Ukraine is a significant escalation of the war and requires an appropriate response, as well as increased support for Ukraine.