Poland To Deploy German Patriot Missile Systems On Border With Ukraine

Poland is looking to bolster its air defenses after two Polish citizens were killed when a missile fell onto a Polish village located near Poland's border with Ukraine. Photo | Military, enhanced by Donald Standeford.

By Donald Standeford, SJ Founder/Publisher
December 14, 2022 04:00 am UTC
Modified: 2022-12-14 04:00 am

POLAND - Polish President Andrzej Duda announced on Monday that Poland will be working with Germany to deploy German Patriot missile systems on its border with Ukraine "in the coming days".

Duda had met with the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and then made the announcement saying (translated), "I am here today in Berlin, to thank the German authorities for their decision to send Patriot batteries to Poland to protect its territory".

"The Poles consider this an important gesture, especially after the accident that occurred on the eastern border when two citizens were killed by a missile, which raised many fears in Polish society, and it is clear to everyone that it is necessary to strengthen Poland's air and missile defense," he continued.

"We discussed this matter with the president. I hope that the relevant groups of Polish and German experts will meet in the coming days, to determine the location of the Patriot batteries, and then these batteries will soon form protection."

After The Ukrainian Missile Incident, Poland Looking To Bolster Air Defenses

In November two Polish citizens were killed after a missile fell onto a Polish village located near Poland's border with Ukraine. Polish authorities, as well as NATO, concluded that "the explosion was caused by a Ukrainian defensive missile".

After the incident took place, Germany offered to supply Poland with its anti-aircraft defense system so that the country is capable of successfully intercepting incoming missiles, as well as defending its airspace.

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht stated, "The fall of a Ukrainian missile in Poland showed the weakness of the European air defense system".

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said that work is currently underway to deploy the Patriot missile systems on Polish soil. The missile systems will be placed under the command of the Polish military.