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Poland is increasing its “readiness” in some military units after reports that an explosion that killed two people near the Ukrainian border was caused by stray Russian missiles, Polish officials said. The US and Western allies are investigating the reports but have not confirmed that the explosion in the village of Przewodow, a village in eastern Poland, was caused by Russia. Poland is now verifying whether it needs to request consultations under Article 4 of the NATO military alliance treaty, a government spokesman said. Article 4 allows NATO members to bring any matter of concern, particularly security, to the North Atlantic Council for discussion. “It was decided a while ago to increase the combat readiness of some military combat units in Poland and to increase the combat readiness of other armed services units in our country,” said government spokesman Piotr Müller. Earlier this afternoon, the Associated Press cited a senior US intelligence official as saying the explosion was caused by Russian missiles that flew over Poland. Russia’s Defense Ministry denied the reports, calling them a “deliberate provocation aimed at escalating the situation.”
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Zelensky blames Russia for the missile attack on Poland: “What did we warn”
Volodymyr Zelensky directly blamed Russia for a rocket explosion in Poland that killed two on Tuesday night, saying his country under Russian siege had warned that terror would not be “confined to our national borders”. “Furthermore, what we were warning about a long time ago happened today. We have said this. Terror is not confined to our national borders. It has already spread to the territory of Moldova. And today, Russian missiles hit Poland, the territory of our friendly country. People died,” Zelensky said in his nightly speech. How many times has Ukraine said that the terrorist state will not be confined to our country, he asked. “Poland, the Baltic states… It’s only a matter of time before Russian terrorism goes further. We must put the terrorist in his place! The longer Russia feels impunity, the more threats there will be to everyone who can be reached by Russian missiles,” the Ukrainian leader said. Last night’s attack was an attack on NATO territory and collective security, Mr Zelensky said, calling it a “significant escalation”. Arpan Rai16 November 2022 04:08 1668570796
ICYMI: Russia and Ukraine tortured prisoners of war, UN body claims
Both Russia and Ukraine have tortured prisoners of war, the UN Human Rights Commission has found. The Ukraine-based monitoring group based its findings on interviews with more than 100 prisoners of war on each side of the conflict. Interviews with Ukrainian prisoners of war were conducted after their release, as Russia did not grant access to detention facilities, it said. Maryam Zakir-Hussain has more: Aisha Rimi16 November 2022 03:53 1668569574
G7 leaders condemn Poland blast, ‘barbaric missile attacks’ in Ukraine
G7 nations met in Bali today and offered full support to Poland for its ongoing investigation into the explosion that killed two on its soil, but did not blame Russia for the missile launch. “We discussed the explosion that occurred in the eastern part of Poland near the border with Ukraine. We offer our full support and assistance to Poland’s ongoing investigation,” the leaders said. “We agree to remain in close contact to determine appropriate next steps as the investigation progresses,” according to the reading from the meeting of leaders from Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Holland, Spain. , USA and UK. The leaders also condemned Russia’s “barbaric missile attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure on Tuesday.” “We reaffirm our steadfast support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the face of continued Russian aggression, as well as our continued readiness to hold Russia accountable for its brazen attacks on Ukrainian communities, even as the G20 meets to address the wider implications her the war”, it is added. The leaders also expressed their condolences to the families of the victims in Poland and Ukraine. Andrew Woodcock reports from Bali: Arpan Rai16 November 2022 03:32 1668569421
US offers ‘full support’ for Poland’s rogue missile research, Biden says
Joe Biden today offered full U.S. support to help Poland investigate the explosion that hit NATO’s border with Ukraine. She also shared a photo from Bali where she was seen with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “I spoke to President Andrzej Duda of Poland to express my deepest condolences for the loss of life in Eastern Poland and to offer our full support to Poland’s investigation into the blast. We will remain in close contact to determine appropriate next steps as it progresses,” the US president said on Twitter. He called an “emergency” meeting of G7 and NATO leaders in Indonesia this morning to discuss the attack that killed two people in eastern Poland near the border with Ukraine. Joe Biden was woken in the night by staff with news of the missile explosion while in Indonesia for the Group of 20 summit (Twitter: POTUS) Arpan Rai16 November 2022 03:30 1668567916
The White House is asking for more than $37 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine
President Joe Biden is asking Congress to provide more than $37 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine. The proposed aid to Ukraine includes $21.7 billion for military, intelligence and other defense support, $14.5 billion for humanitarian aid and to keep the Ukrainian government running, $900 million for health care and support services for Ukrainians living in the US and $626 million for nuclear security support to Ukraine and for the modernization of the strategic oil stockpile. US aid to Ukraine has already included tens of thousands of air defense and anti-tank missiles and rockets, and more than 84 million rounds of ammunition, as well as drones, tanks, trucks, radar, body armor and other equipment. Arpan Rai16 November 2022 03:05 1668565576
Watch: Zelensky blames Russia for missile attack on NATO territory
Poland: Zelenskiy accuses Russia of missile attack on NATO territory Aisha Rimi16 November 2022 02:26 1668565069
Biden has an unscheduled meeting with world leaders in Bali
The US president met with G7 and NATO leaders to discuss the explosion in Poland that killed two people. Also present were German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel. (AFP via Getty Images) Graeme Massie16 November 2022 02:17 1668564590
Biden says ‘unbelievable’ missile was launched by Russia
Joe Biden says it’s “unlikely” that the Russian-made missile that killed two people in Poland was launched by Russia itself. “There is preliminary information that disputes this. I don’t want to say that until we fully investigate it, but it’s unlikely, the trajectory lines, that it was launched by Russia, but we’ll see,” the president told reporters in Bali. (AFP via Getty Images) Graeme Massie16 November 2022 02:09 1668563596
President Biden talks with Polish leader after two murders
President Biden spoke with Polish President Andrzej Duda as US officials worked with Polish authorities to gather intelligence after reports that Russian missiles struck Polish territory, killing two civilians on Tuesday. President Joe Biden spoke with Polish President Andrzej Duda from Bali early Wednesday local time, according to the White House. Russia has denied firing the missiles into Poland, calling the allegations a “provocation”. Andrew Feinberg has the full story: Aisha Rimi November 16, 2022 01:53 1668562677
Polish president calls possible Russian missile strike ‘an isolated incident’
Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Tuesday that he believed the “Russian-made” missile that hit his country did not appear to be part of a larger campaign. “What happened was an isolated incident,” he said, CNBC reports. “There is no indication that more will be done.” Poland is investigating the incident and has summoned Russia’s ambassador to Warsaw, demanding an explanation for the possible strike. Russia has denied firing the missiles. Josh Marcus November 16, 2022 01:37
