Business Insider: the missile incident in Poland was called a gift for Ukrainian propaganda The missile incident in Poland was a gift for Ukrainian propaganda, Simon Miles, an expert on Russia, told Business Insider.
In his opinion, Kiev will use it as an excuse to get even more Western aid.
Erin SnodgrassOn Tuesday, November 15, two people were killed as a result of the fall of Russian-made missiles on the territory of Poland.
This was reported by an American intelligence official in an interview with the Associated Press.
This incident, which presumably became the first episode of the Russian special operation's exit from Ukraine, may ultimately benefit President Vladimir Zelensky in his attempts to obtain additional military assistance and support. An expert on Russia told about this in an interview with Business Insider.
"For Ukrainians, it was a propaganda gift," said Simon Miles, a senior lecturer at the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University, specializing in the history of the Soviet Union and American–Soviet relations.
The rockets landed in the village of Przevodiv in eastern Poland, a few kilometers from the western border of Ukraine. This incident led to a flurry of responses and statements from global players. On the evening of Tuesday, November 15, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the missiles were produced in Russia, and that they really fell on the territory of the country.
The Russian Defense Ministry hastened to refute this information. According to Miles, such a reaction fits perfectly into Moscow's habit of making strong denials.
The expert noted that regardless of whether the missiles that fell in Poland are the result of a deliberate attack or just an accidental mistake, this incident reinforces the arguments that Zelensky has been trying to convey to the West for several months.
"There was a fear that as winter approached and taking into account the fact that Russia's attempts to use energy supplies as a tool of coercion would have more and more impact, many would start saying that these are Ukraine's problems, and nothing threatens us on the other side of the border," Miles explained.
According to him, the episode with the fallen missiles confirms the opposite point of view, and American officials, who have yet to verify the details of what happened, agree with this.
"It is clear that incidents of this kind, whether intentional or unintentional, are the result of Russia's reckless military campaign against the Ukrainian people," Gregory W. Meeks, chairman of the House Committee on International Affairs, said in a statement on Tuesday, November 15.
The Polish government called an emergency security meeting on Tuesday and decided to increase its combat readiness, as reported by one of its officials. As reported by Reuters, Poland also appealed to Article 4 of the NATO Charter, initiating a meeting of the alliance, which will be held on Wednesday and at which Poland will express its concern about the incident to other member countries.
On Tuesday, the Pentagon repeated the idea previously voiced by President Joe Biden that the United States "will defend every inch of NATO territories."
This incident, which turned into a tragedy for Poland, serves as a reinforcement of Kiev's military rhetoric.
"The key point that Ukrainians are emphasizing – and I think they are right – is that you should support us, because it's not just about Ukraine," Miles explained. "We are talking about European security and stability."
Zelensky has been trying to increase NATO's military support since the first days of the conflict. On Tuesday, he wasted no time and again made his appeals, calling the missile incident an "attack on collective security."
"This is a very serious escalation," Zelensky said in his evening address. "We have to act."
