Russia-Ukraine war updates | NATO Chief says missiles at Poland likely launched by Ukraine

Both Poland and the United States would have to agree to Ukraine taking part in the investigation into a missile that landed in a village in southeastern Poland, the Polish president said on Wednesday.

"The proceedings are conducted by Polish and American experts and if anyone was to be allowed to take part in these proceedings it would need at least the agreement of both parties," Andrzej Duda told a news conference.

The German Defence Ministry said Wednesday it will offer Poland support in patrolling its airspace. “The patrols will come from German air force bases -- we have already done this earlier this year until July, it is tried and tested,” spokesperson Christian Thiels said.

He added that the German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht would talk to her Polish counterpart Mariusz Błaszczak later in the day about the offer. “This can be done as early as tomorrow, if Poland wishes,” Thiels said, adding that the jets do not need to be moved to Poland for the operation. 

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the missile strike that killed two in Poland is likely launched by Ukrainian air defense. He added that investigation is ongoing and the situation is been assessed continuously. 

There is 'no indication of deliberate attack' on Poland, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference over strikes in Eastern Poland near Ukrainian borders. 

Poland President Andrzej Duda said Wednesday missile blast in Poland that killed two appears to be "unfortunate accident" and not an "intentional attack," reported Associated Press news agency. 

Polish president Andrzej Duda says 'very likely' missile was from Ukraine air defence. Earlier, Associated Press news agency while citing a US official also claimed that initial findings suggest the missile that hit Poland was orginally fired by Ukrainian forces who were aiming at an incoming Russian missile.

Kremlin has praised US' "measured" response after a missile hit a Poland village killing two civilians. Not entirely ruling out the possibility of Russia firing a missile into Poland, US President Joe Biden said it was "unlikely" that it had come from Russia.

The explosion that killed two Polish civilians in a village near the Ukraine border was probably caused by Ukrainian air defence units firing at incoming Russian missiles, said the Belgian defence minister.

"The missile strikes in Poland last night are being fully investigated by our intelligence service, which is in close contact with NATO partner services," Ludivine Dedonder said in a statement. 

"Based on the preliminary information available, the strikes are most likely a result of Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems that were engaged to take Russian missiles out of the sky."

According to Dedonder, "pieces of Russian missiles and Ukrainian anti-aircraft fire hit Polish territory... I wish to express my condolences to the families of the victims and the Polish people".

Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned the latest wave of missile attacks on Ukraine and called for a ceasefire to avert the risk of an escalation of the conflict.

He spoke at his general audience as NATO allies were investigating unconfirmed reports that an explosion in a Polish village near the border with Ukraine was caused by stray Russian missiles. He did not mention the incident.

"I learned with pain and concern of a fresh and even fiercer missile attack on Ukraine, which caused deaths and damage to much civilian infrastructure," Francis said in Italian.

"Let us pray so that the Lord converts the hearts of those who still bet on war and make the desire for peace prevail in martyred Ukraine in order to avoid escalation and to open the path to a ceasefire and dialogue," he said.

According to AFP, fresh aird raids were sounding across Ukraine a day after massive Russian strikes crippled Kyiv's energy infrastructure. The warnings were sounding in all regions of the country.

Poland is reportedly considering raising the missile strike issue with the UN Security Council, after two people were killed late night.

Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty states that members can bring any issue of concern, especially related to security, for discussion, allowing for more time to determine what steps to take.

If it is determined that Moscow was to blame for the blast, it could trigger NATO's principle of collective defense known as Article 5, in which an attack on one of the Western alliance's members is deemed an attack on all, starting deliberations on a potential military response.

“I’m going to make sure we figure out exactly what happened … Then we’re going to figure out our next step.”

The United Nations asserted that it is “absolutely essential” to avoid escalating the war in Ukraine in wake of the explosion from a fallen missile in Poland. A spokesperson released a statement late on Wednesday on behalf of the UN secretary general, saying, "The secretary-general is very concerned by the reports of a missile exploding on Polish territory. It is absolutely essential to avoid escalating the war in Ukraine.

"He sends his condolences to the families of the victims. He hopes that a thorough investigation will be conducted.”