Poland still considers the possibility of shooting down Russian missiles over Ukraine - Foreign Ministry
The proposal to intercept missiles over Ukraine was included in the security agreement between the two countries signed on 8 July
Warsaw is considering Kyiv's proposal to shoot down Russian missiles flying towards Polish territory while they are still in Ukrainian airspace, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told the American Enterprise Institute in Washington on 12 July.
His remarks came days after Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysh said Poland would not comply with Ukraine's request to shoot down Russian missiles without a NATO decision.
Warsaw, a NATO member, often scrambles fighter jets to protect Polish airspace when Russian forces launch large-scale air attacks on Ukraine. However, the fighter jets have never been used to shoot down missiles or drones.
The proposal to intercept missiles over Ukraine was included in the security agreement between the two countries signed on 8 July in Warsaw.
"At this stage, it is an idea. Our agreement says that we will study this idea," Sikorski said, describing the potential move as self-defence.
Some of the Russian missiles fired at targets in the Lviv region of western Ukraine entered Polish airspace for about 40 seconds before returning to targets on Ukrainian soil, Sikorski said.
According to the minister, the problem for Poland is that after being shot down, the wreckage could pose a threat to Poles and the country's property.
"And Ukrainians say: "Please, we don't mind, do it over our airspace, when they are in immediate danger of crossing into Poland," he added.
Last year, a Russian missile entered Polish airspace, putting the country's defence on high alert. In another incident on 15 November 2022, a missile flew into Polish territory during a Russian massive attack, killing two civilians. Polish investigators later concluded that it was a Ukrainian anti-aircraft missile launched to intercept the Russian attack that went off course.
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