NATO in contact with Warsaw after 'Russian missile' crashed in Poland

BRUSSELS, July 30: NATO said Thursday said it was in close contact with Warsaw as it blamed Russia for a missile that crashed in Poland, and vowed to "continue to take all necessary measures to defend" alliance territory.

"In response to a Russian missile of currently unknown type that entered Polish airspace and later crashed into Polish territory - one of many missiles fired by Russia at Ukraine overnight - NATO and Poland activated their air and ground defences," said Martin O'Donnell, a spokesman for NATO's Europe headquarters.

"Two NATO fighter jets, which were Polish F-16s, a NATO Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Unit Airbus A330 refuelling aircraft, a Polish Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning aircraft, and a Polish Mi-24 helicopter, were scrambled," he added in a statement.

O'Donnell said that NATO was "in close contact with the Polish authorities about the violation of Poland's airspace" and that the Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewich had spoken to Poland's chief of defence.

Grynkewich "underlined that NATO will continue to take all necessary measures to defend NATO territory," the statement said.�" AFP