Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated after a missile entered the country that "there is no reason to believe that Poland was the target," adding that Ukrainian experts are planned to be involved in the investigation. He said this at a press conference in Tarnawa-Kolonia, where, according to preliminary data, the Russian missile fell, announcing consideration of increasing aid to Ukraine, reports UNN citing WP Wiadomości.
Details
Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz visited the site where the missile was found in Tarnawa-Kolonia in the Lublin Voivodeship.
"We came here to emphasize, first of all, to the services, including the prosecutor's office, the great importance of quickly clarifying all the circumstances of this event, fortunately without consequences, without casualties, without damage, but nevertheless dramatic, which is the fall of this maneuvering ballistic missile here, in the fields near Tarnawa-Kolonia in the Lublin Voivodeship," Tusk said.
"As is known, this is the result of massive Russian actions. It was one of the largest attacks of the entire war. Bombs, missiles, and cruise missiles fell across Ukraine, including in western Ukraine, near our border," the Polish prime minister noted.
He assured that the Ukrainian side "tracked the missiles heading towards the Polish border and tried to destroy them all the way to the Polish border."
"There is no reason to believe that Poland was the target, but two of these objects violated Polish airspace," he said.
He emphasized that the second missile briefly violated the Polish border, and there were no consequences. Later, Kosiniak-Kamysz denied that a second violation occurred, the publication writes.
"The military was ready to shoot down the missile if it posed a direct threat to populated areas. Fortunately, it fell to the ground faster, before a decision was made to shoot it down in an uninhabited area where no dramatic circumstances arose," he emphasized.
He recalled that civilians were warned by sirens. "I know that as a society, we are still learning the situation in which each of us must react in our own way to warnings, signals, and alarm sirens," he said.
He added that "determining whose missile it is is crucial." "Remember the situation, ladies and gentlemen, where we have encountered this problem of interpretation several times," he said. "Russia will do everything possible to absolve itself of responsibility."
"According to the assessment of military experts, the vast majority of trace evidence, including recovered components, points to a Russian Kh-101 missile. This is a cruise missile capable of carrying a payload, and it is also very likely that the explosion occurred right here. The size of the crater - approximately 10 meters in diameter and up to 5 meters deep - indicates that this was a very serious matter," he noted.
Tusk assured that he is in contact with foreign leaders.
Americans are interested in participating in the investigation
He emphasized that he wants the missile issue to be handled as transparently as possible.
Ukrainians also offered their assistance in the investigation. We will take advantage of the help of their experts
Tusk on aid to Ukraine
"The more missiles Ukraine shoots down over its own territory, the less threat there is for us," Tusk said.
I know that it is not very popular now to speak well of Ukraine, but I do it, and this knowledge is much more important. Poland's security directly and immediately depends on the effective actions of the Ukrainian military, particularly in the air. If the Ukrainians had much more of what they constantly ask for, perhaps this ballistic missile would not have reached Poland
"I have no reason to be Ukraine's defender in the Patriot case. The only thing on my mind and in my heart is how best to ensure Poland's security. Ukraine shoots at them, effectively eliminating Russian targets, because it is at war with Russia, and it is in our interest to support them in these matters," he said.
"After this incident, paradoxically, together with the Prime Minister, I will consider the issue of further aid to Ukraine as quickly as possible, including additional missiles for Patriot, if necessary, because our intention is to ensure that Ukraine does not lose this war," Tusk emphasized.
Tusk emphasized that no sky is 100 percent safe.
"The effectiveness of precision strikes with surveillance is 50 percent with Patriot missiles, and with other means – approximately 30 percent," the Prime Minister said.
"Today there is no perfectly flawless system, and that is why we have to rely so heavily on human decisions, sometimes accurate, sometimes wrong. This one was accurate," he emphasized.