Shells fell in Poland amid a series of Russian missile attacks on Ukraine. Two people died. The background was unclear. Poland called an “emergency meeting” and put its armed forces on increased alert.
The Polish village of Przewodów became notorious on Tuesday evening: Apparently, two rockets landed in the town of just 530 inhabitants near the Ukrainian border. At least two Polish citizens died. With that, the war spilled over the border for a moment. On the territory of Nato, of which Poland is a member. The West was terrified. That could be read from the first statements. Because first reports assumed that it was Russian projectiles. Possibly “stray missiles”. Moscow denied that. The Ministry of Defense there spoke of a “deliberate provocation” by the other side.
It was later said the projectiles could also have been the remains of Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missiles that were repelling massive Russian attacks. There was no certainty at the time of going to press. Just great nervousness. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, hastily convened the National Security Council. The government in Warsaw classified the deadly incident as a “national crisis situation”. Pictures of an impact site circulated on Tuesday evening. They showed debris and, if not mistaken, an overturned tractor trailer.
Poland is one of Ukraine’s most determined military aides. And it has taken in more Ukraine refugees than any other country.
One thing is certain: Russia launched massive rocket attacks across Ukraine on Tuesday. The destinations included Kharkiv in the northeast, the coastal city of Odessa, the capital Kyiv, and Lviv, which is only 71 kilometers from Przewodów in Poland. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia fired around 100 rockets that day, more than any other day in the war.