On Tuesday, two Polish citizens died when “a Russia-made missile” caused an explosion outside the southeastern Polish village of Przewodów, about 6 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, according to a statement by the Polish foreign ministry.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the deadly explosion was the result of a Ukrainian air defense missile that landed in Poland, but added that Russia "bears ultimate responsibility" for the incident.
In an interview with public broadcaster Polish Radio, Poland's Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said on Friday that “there is an investigation under way with the participation of experts from allied countries, mainly the United States."
Błaszczak, who is also a deputy prime minister, told Polish Radio that "various theories about the course of events are appearing in the media, but there is no doubt that what happened was provoked by Russia.”
Ukraine's request for access to blast site 'has been approved': Błaszczak
Ukraine on Wednesday requested "immediate access to the site of the explosion."
A senior Ukrainian defence official, Oleksiy Danilov, said in a tweet: "We advocate for a joint examination of the incident with the missile’s landing in Poland. We are ready to hand over evidence of the Russian trace that we have. We are expecting information from our partners, based on which a conclusion was made that it’s a Ukrainian air defense missile."
Asked if Ukrainian experts would be admitted to the site of the incident in Przewodów and if they would be able to take part in the investigation, Błaszczak told Polish Radio on Friday that "this is very clearly defined by international law."
He said: “The Ukrainian side has officially asked Poland for the possibility to participate in these procedures. The request has been approved, but the regulations that govern this must be observed, as there is an investigation in progress."
Błaszczak added that “Ukrainian experts will have the opportunity to inspect” the site, "however, it is necessary to preserve … strict procedures for the investigation."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted on Friday: "Ukrainian experts are already working at the site of the tragedy in Przewodów caused by Russian missile terror against Ukraine."
He added: "I am grateful to the Polish side for granting them access. We will continue our cooperation in an open and constructive manner, as closest friends do."
Friday is the 268th day of Russia's war against Ukraine.
(jh/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, jedynka.polskieradio.pl