"Missile Fell in Poland, Estimated S-300... Used by Both Russia and Ukraine"

Possibility of Accidental Fire During Missile Exchange Between Two Countries
UN Secretary-General Urges "Thorough Investigation Needed"

On the 15th (local time), debris of a missile that fell and exploded in Przewod?w, located in the eastern border area of Poland and Ukraine. [Image source=Twitter]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As controversy spreads internationally over the party responsible for launching the missile that exploded in the eastern border area of Poland near Ukraine, military experts have stated that the missile is presumed to be an 'S-300' missile used by both Russia and Ukraine. The United Nations also expressed a cautious stance, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation and urging that the war must not escalate further.

On the 15th (local time), Justin Bronk, a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a British think tank, said in an interview with The Telegraph, "The missile that fell in Przewod?w, eastern Poland, appears to match the S-300 surface-to-air missile based on the shape of the fragments." He added, "This missile is used by both Ukraine and Russia. It is possible that Russia launched it for an airstrike on Ukraine, or that Ukraine fired it to intercept a Russian missile but it accidentally deviated from its course and fell into Polish territory."

Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the U.S. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI), also stated, "Poland’s earlier statement that the missile was Russian-made means it is unclear whether the missile was actually fired by Russia." He explained, "The S-300 missile was produced during the Soviet era and is currently classified as Russian-made." Since Ukraine continues to use the Soviet-era S-300 air defense system, it is difficult to determine where the missile was fired from before a precise investigation is conducted.

Previously, the Polish government also said that while the missile itself appears to be Russian-made, it is unknown exactly who fired it. Polish President Andrzej Duda said in a speech at the National Security Bureau in Warsaw on the same day, "It is still uncertain who launched the missile that caused the explosion in the village of Przewod?w," adding, "The missile itself is most likely produced in Russia." He continued, "We are conducting the investigation in a very calm manner," and emphasized, "Experts will be dispatched to the site as part of a joint investigation with the United States."

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated in a press release that the missile that fell in the village of Przewod?w was Russian-made. The ministry announced, "At 3:40 p.m. local time, a Russian-made missile fell near the village of Przewod?w close to the border with Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of two Polish citizens." However, they did not specify the exact type of missile or where it was launched from.

U.S. President Joe Biden also expressed a cautious stance, saying it is unlikely that Russia fired the missile. President Biden said, "It is premature to comment until the investigation is fully completed," but added, "Based on the missile’s trajectory, it does not seem likely that it was launched from Russia."

As the party responsible for the missile launch remains unclear, controversy is expected to continue in the international community. Russia claims that Poland’s actions were a deliberate provocation and denies that any attack targeting the Polish border took place, while Ukraine strongly asserts that Russia is responsible.

The United Nations has called for a thorough investigation and stressed that the war between Ukraine and Russia must not escalate further. UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres said in a statement on the day, "I hope a thorough investigation will be conducted," and emphasized, "It is absolutely crucial to avoid an escalation of the war in Ukraine."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.