Poland Responds to Russian Strikes on Far Western Ukraine

In an overnight attack, Russia launched missiles and drones on Ukraine, specifically targeting the far western city of Lviv. This city, located hundreds of miles from the front lines, experienced significant damage with seven people reported dead by Ukrainian authorities.

Increased Strikes Seen as Retaliation

These increased strikes are generally perceived as Russia's retaliation for the ongoing Kursk cross-border offensive led by Kiev forces. However, due to the close proximity of these strikes to the border of Ukraine and Poland, Polish aerial forces were deployed during the attack.

Polish and Allied Aircraft Scrambled

As reported by Reuters, Polish and allied aircraft were scrambled for the third time in eight days to closely monitor the inbound projectiles. They were prepared to intercept them if the missiles approached Polish airspace.

NATO's Potential Involvement

This incident demonstrates the ease with which NATO aircraft could engage in the fight against Russian airpower on behalf of Ukraine. Warsaw has recently lodged complaints about airspace violations by Russian projectiles, including a drone that went down in its territory on August 26.

Controversial Comments by Poland's Foreign Minister

Earlier this week, Poland's foreign minister, Radosław Sikorski, stirred controversy within the NATO military alliance by suggesting that member states have a 'duty' to shoot down incoming Russian missiles when they pose a threat to the population below in Ukraine's skies. Sikorski told the Financial Times, "Membership in NATO does not trump each country’s responsibility for the protection of its own airspace – it’s our own constitutional duty." He seemed unconcerned about the potential for such actions to escalate tensions with Russia.

Poland's Role in NATO's 'Eastern Flank'

Poland is undoubtedly a critical part of NATO's 'eastern flank' and has been actively increasing its defense spending and military build-up since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

Poland's Defense Spending and Military Build-Up

Warsaw recently announced new military deals worth $520 million, the latest move in its drive to strengthen its defense in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Poland currently spends 4 percent of its GDP on defense, the highest ratio of any NATO member, and plans to increase this to 4.7 percent next year. Last month, Warsaw signed a $10 billion deal to purchase 96 Apache attack helicopters from US manufacturer Boeing, which will replace outdated Russian Mi-24 helicopters. Warsaw has also announced deals to buy hundreds of AIM-120C AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and a contract for 48 launchers for US-designed Patriot air defense systems.

Poland's Army Size

Poland’s army, with 200,000 soldiers, is NATO’s third largest after the United States and Turkey and is the largest in the European Union.

NATO Secretary General's Response to Poland's Proposal

As for Poland's push to get NATO leadership to agree to new rules of engagement regarding Russian strikes, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who is expected to retire soon, has expressed some resistance. Stoltenberg rejected the Polish proposal, arguing that it presents too much risk of NATO "becoming part of the conflict." However, this seems to align with what Zelensky wants--to pull the West deeper into the war on Ukraine's behalf.

Bottom Line

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with Poland now finding itself in a precarious position due to its geographical proximity and NATO membership. As the situation evolves, the potential for further international involvement increases, raising questions about the future of this conflict and the broader geopolitical landscape. What are your thoughts on this issue? Share this article with your friends and start a conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.