This photograph taken on October 7, 2022 shows a Russian rocket sticks out a ground near the village of Ukrainka in a part of Southern Ukraine.
Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images
Two people were reportedly killed after Russian missiles landed in an eastern Polish village on Tuesday, a US intelligence official told the Associated Press. The incident marks the first time that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war has spilled across Ukraine’s borders and into the territory of a NATO member.
The rockets landed in the village of Przewodów, which located in eastern Poland and is a short distance from Ukraine’s western border. A Polish government official said the country’s prime minister called an emergency defense committee meeting.
It’s not immediately clear what implications the incident could unravel. Poland is a member of the NATO, however, which uses a collective defense agreement known as Article 5. Under this agreement, an attack against one NATO country would be considered an attack against the entire military alliance.
The US and its Western allies have warned Russia for months that an attack on NATO territory would trigger a strong response.
“We have a sacred obligation — (applause) — we have a sacred obligation under Article 5 to defend each and every inch of NATO territory with the full force of our collective power,” President Joe Biden said in March.
The White House, Poland’s foreign affairs ministry, and NATO all did not immediately respond to Insider’s requests for comment. The incident immediately triggered remarks from top officials in neighboring countries.
“My condolences to our Polish brothers in arms. Criminal Russian regime fired missiles which target not only Ukrainian civilians but also landed on NATO territory in Poland. Latvia fully stands with Polish friends and condemns this crime,” Latvia’s defense minister said on Twitter.
The incident comes as Russia fired a barrage of missiles across Ukraine on Tuesday.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.