Pentagon chief Austin: Falling Ukrainian missiles in Poland does not deprive Kiev of self-defense

WASHINGTON, November 17 – RIA Novosti. Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that the information that Ukrainian air defense missiles hit Poland has not yet been discussed, but this does not deprive Kiev of its right to self-defense.

At the briefing he held after the regular meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group, Austin said, “Ukraine basically has the right to defend itself. We will be in solidarity with the Ukrainian people as long as they defend their country.”

The incident was published on the website of the US Department of Defense.

Austin reiterated the US position that regardless of the final results of the investigation, Russia is responsible for what happened and that the “tragic and disturbing event” is another reminder of the “reckless” nature of the special military operation in Ukraine. Austin added that the United States has yet to see evidence to prove that Ukrainian missiles fell on Poland.

Polish media reported that on the evening of November 15, two rockets fell on the territory of the country. First, Warsaw stated that these were Russian-made and that the country had convened the NATO Council. But on Wednesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda said the missiles most likely belonged to Ukraine.

Russia launched a military operation against Ukraine on February 24. President Vladimir Putin described his goal as “protecting people who have been subjected to eight years of bullying and genocide by the Kyiv regime.” For this, according to him, it is planned to “disarm and demilitarize Ukraine” so that all war criminals responsible for “bloody crimes against civilians” in Donbass are brought to justice.