Poland claims it has a 'duty' to down Russian missiles

Poland and other nations bordering Ukraine have a duty to shoot down incoming Russian missiles - despite the risk of interceptions over Ukrainian territory dragging Nato into the war with Moscow - the country's foreign minister has said.

- CHRIS STEVENSON

Warsaw activated aircraft early yesterday to protect Polish airspace as Russia launched a fresh barrage of missiles and drones, with Ukraine having faced some of the most intense strikes since the start of Vladimir Putin’s invasion during the past two weeks.

Radosław Sikorski has said that Poland has an obligation to ensure the safety of its citizens, whatever fears other Nato nations may have about shooting down missiles over Ukraine pushing the alliance into direct conflict with Russia.

“Membership in Nato does not trump each country’s responsibility for the protection of its own airspace – it’s our own constitutional duty,” Mr Sikorski told the Financial Times. “I’m personally of the view that, when hostile missiles are on course of entering our airspace, it would be legitimate selfdefence [to strike them] because once they do cross into our airspace, the risk of debris injuring someone is significant.”