Poland ready to shoot down Russian missiles if they threaten its territory

Polish National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz has announced that Poland is ready to shoot down Russian missiles if they pose a direct threat to Poland or NATO countries.

Source: Kosiniak-Kamysz in an interview with the Voice of America

Quote from Kosiniak-Kamysz: "We also have enhanced air defence. We're talking about Rzeszow Airport, which is almost being passed onto the protection of NATO. Our allies – America, Britain, Germany, Norway and other nations – are protecting us at the air base. And if that airspace is infringed, then the target missile or a drone can be shot [down].

... But it's a different situation when it comes to shooting targets above the Ukrainian territory. There is no NATO decision on that position, or agreement to do so. We are protecting our territories.

Very often, we activate our F-16s to act accordingly, if there is a danger to Polish territory, to defend our territory.

There has been no such event where the missile would be aimed at a target in the Polish territory. But yes, last week, the Polish F-16s took off and were ready to protect near the border."

Previously: Poland scrambled aircraft in response to the large-scale combined Russian attack targeting Ukraine on 13 December.

Background: 

• Earlier, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that Poland should shoot down Russian missiles approaching Polish airspace over Ukraine, partly because the risks to Polish citizens would increase if they were intercepted over Polish territory.
• In the autumn, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers urged President Joe Biden to allow Poland to use its air defence to shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine.
• Sikorski reiterated his hope that NATO would grant Poland permission to use its air defences to shoot down Russian missiles flying over Ukraine that could pose a threat to Poland.

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