Russia Attacks Near Poland... US Warns "Will Defend NATO Territory"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Russian missile attacks have rained down on Ukrainian military facilities just 15 miles (24km) from the Polish border, killing dozens. The United States warned that it will "defend every inch of NATO territory" and will respond immediately if Russia crosses NATO territory, even by mistake.

According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 13th (local time), Ukrainian authorities announced that the International Peace and Security Center (IPSC) located in Yavoriv in the west was airstruck, resulting in 35 deaths and 134 injuries. This area is only 24km from the Polish border.

Oleksii Resnikov, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, tweeted, "The IPSC is a place where peacekeepers are also trained, and until just before the war, foreign personnel including NATO instructors worked there," calling it "a terrorist attack on peace and stability near the European Union (EU) and NATO borders."

On the other hand, on the same day, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed it airstruck military facilities and training grounds in western Ukraine, eliminating 180 foreign 'mercenaries.' Igor Konashenkov, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Defense, said, "As a result of the airstrike, 180 mercenaries and a large amount of foreign weapons were eliminated," and "the elimination of foreign mercenaries entering Ukrainian territory will continue," signaling further airstrikes to come.

Russia has recently expanded attacks near the western Ukrainian border with Poland. WP reported that Russian shelling is approaching the borders of NATO countries.

Regarding this, Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, appeared on CNN the same day and said, "This is not surprising," explaining that "it shows that Russian President Vladimir Putin is frustrated that he is not making the progress he expected in major cities including Kyiv (Kiyev)." Accordingly, Russia is expanding its attack targets and aiming to inflict damage across Ukraine.

In particular, Advisor Sullivan strongly warned that "we will defend every inch of NATO territory," and if Russia conducts attacks crossing NATO territory even by mistake, it will face NATO’s response. Unlike Ukraine, Poland is a NATO member country.

On the same day, Ukraine also requested NATO to establish a no-fly zone over its airspace to prevent Russian bombings. However, John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated that the attacks would not change the current U.S. position on establishing a no-fly zone.