Title: Polish Experts Confirm Missile That Killed Two in Southern Poland was Fired by Ukraine
Date: September 26, 2023
Polish experts have confirmed that the missile responsible for the deadly blast at a grain drying facility in Przewodow, a village in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine, was fired by Ukraine, according to reports from Rzeczpospolita daily citing sources.
The explosion, which took place in November last year, raised concerns that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine could escalate into a larger regional conflict by triggering NATO’s mutual defence clause. However, both Warsaw and NATO insisted at the time that the incident was an unintentional Ukrainian stray, alleviating fears of further escalation.
Sources familiar with the investigation disclosed that Poland has determined that the missile, identified as an S 300 5-W-55 air-defence missile, was launched from Ukrainian territory. The missile has a range of 75 km to 90 km, making it impossible for it to have been fired by Russian forces who were positioned too far away from Przewodow.
Ukraine has denied any involvement and refuted claims that one of its missiles had landed in Poland. However, Rzeczpospolita reported that the Ukrainian side has not provided any evidence to support their denial to Polish investigators.
Lukasz Lapczynski, the spokesman for the Polish prosecutor’s office, confirmed that they have received the opinion of the experts but declined to disclose its content due to confidentiality. Despite attempts to reach him for further comment, Lapczynski could not be immediately reached and the prosecutor’s office did not respond to an email request for additional information.
The incident at the grain facility in Przewodow highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the risks associated with the conflict in Ukraine. It underscores the importance of comprehensive investigations to determine responsibility, prevent further incidents, and maintain peace and stability in the region.
Reporting by Alan Charlish; editing by Miral Fahmy
[Image Description: A view of the destruction at the scene of a blast site at a grain drying facility in Przewodow, a village in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine, November 20, 2022. Jakub Orzechowski/Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS]