Warsaw: Poland’s Minister of Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, has vowed decisive measures in reaction to the Russian ambassador’s refusal to comply with a summons to the Polish Foreign Ministry regarding the violation of Polish airspace by a Russian missile.
Following the incursion of a missile, part of the shelling of Ukraine, over the Lublin Voivodeship on the night of March 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland summoned Russian Ambassador Sergey Andreev on Monday. However, the Russian envoy disregarded the ministry’s invitation.
“This is not the first time we have encountered violations of both law and international standards,” admitted the Polish Minister of Defense in an interview with Polsat. The Polish authorities are poised to make further decisions regarding Andreev’s conduct.
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“We are in constant communication with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister, the President, and the National Security Bureau. These decisions should be a concerted effort, as it reflects the response of the entire Polish state,” he added.
Kosiniak-Kamysz underscored that subsequent actions can be expected in the coming days, criticizing the ambassador’s actions as “utterly inappropriate”.
“This demonstrates contempt, and we cannot remain indifferent,” he remarked regarding the Kremlin diplomat’s statement claiming lack of evidence regarding the presence of a Russian missile.
Recalling the events of March 24, at 4:23 a.m., Polish airspace was breached by a maneuverable missile launched from a Russian long-range aircraft. The missile entered Polish airspace near the village of Oserdów in the Lublin Voivodeship and remained there for 39 seconds.
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In response to the incident, Poland announced its intention to summon the Russian Federation ambassador and issue a formal protest.
Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosław Sikorski, stated that the Russian ambassador would be asked to account for the missile incident, although he expressed skepticism about obtaining satisfactory answers.
Simultaneously, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz asserted that Poland would take defensive action, including shooting down a Russian missile if it posed a threat to targets on Polish territory.
