The decision was announced by Piotr Müller, the spokesman for the Polish government, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Following an urgent meeting of Poland’s top security officials, convened by Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, Müller told a media briefing: “Today there occurred an explosion in Hrubieszów county [in southeastern Poland], in which two citizens of Poland were killed. Emergency services are at the scene to explain the situation that took place.”
He added that the government would issue “a clear and concise statement” on the matter, to avoid “distortion of information.”
Müller announced: “Due to the situation that has developed, appropriate procedures have been launched, including a decision that has just been made to raise the readiness of some combat, military units on Polish territory, as well as to raise the combat readiness of the units of uniformed services on the territory of our country.”
The government spokesman further said: “We have also just decided to verify if there are grounds to initiate procedures arising from Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.”
Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty states that “The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened,” Polish state news agency PAP reported.
Meanwhile, Polish President Andrzej Duda held a phone call with the NATO alliance’s secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, reporters were told.
Stoltenberg said in a tweet: “Spoke with President Duda about the explosion in Poland. I offered my condolences for the loss of life.”
He added: “NATO is monitoring the situation and Allies are closely consulting. Important that all facts are established.”
US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a tweet that US officials had seen reports from Poland but were still determining what happened.
Watson tweeted on Tuesday: “We've seen these reports out of Poland and are working with the Polish government to gather more information. We cannot confirm the reports or any of the details at this time.”
She stressed: “We will determine what happened and what the appropriate next steps would be.”
Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the US State Department, also stated that the United States couldn’t confirm the reports of missiles hitting Polish territory and killing two, US broadcaster CNN reported.
Patel told a press briefing: “We have seen these reports out of Poland and are working with the Polish government and our NATO partners to gather more information. We can't confirm the reports or any of the details at this time.”
Meanwhile, top politicians from the Baltic states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to express their concern about Russian missiles reportedly coming down on Polish soil. They also declared their full support for Poland, the PAP news agency reported.
European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter: "Shocked by the news of a missile or other ammunition having killed people on Polish territory. My condolences to the families. We stand with Poland. I am in contact with Polish authorities, members of the European Council and other allies.”
Michel added later: “Just spoke with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Assured him of full EU unity and solidarity in support of Poland. I will propose a coordination meeting on Wednesday with EU leaders attending G20 here in Bali.”
French President Emmanuel Macron “contacted the Polish authorities” after reports that two Russian missiles may have landed on Polish soil, the Élysée Palace said in a statement on Tuesday evening, the PAP news agency reported.
The statement added that Macron was “monitoring the situation” in Poland and was exploring the possibility of world leaders discussing the matter at the G20 in Bali on Wednesday morning, according to PAP.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address to the nation: “What we warned about a long time ago happened today. We’ve been telling this. Terror is not limited to our national borders. It has already spread to the territory of Moldova. And today, Russian missiles hit Poland, the territory of our friendly country. People died. Please accept condolences from all Ukrainian brothers!”
He added: “How many times has Ukraine said that the terrorist state will not be limited to our country? Poland, the Baltic states... It's only a matter of time before Russian terror goes further. We must put the terrorist in his place! The longer Russia feels impunity, the more threats there will be to everyone who can be reached by Russian missiles.”
The Ukrainian president stressed: “Hitting NATO territory with missiles... This is a Russian missile attack on collective security! This is a really significant escalation. Action is needed.”
Addressing the Polish people, Zelensky said: “And I want to tell all our Polish brothers and sisters now... Ukraine will always support you! Terror will not break free people! Victory is possible when there is no fear! We don't have it, neither do you.”
Ukraine’s president urged: “Russia opposes itself to the world. Russia loses on the battlefield. Russia terrorizes us and everyone it can reach. Let's do everything to stop it!”
Ukraine’s top diplomat Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet: “Ukraine reaffirms its full solidarity with Poland and stands ready to provide any necessary support. Collective response to Russian actions must be tough and principled.
He added: "Among immediate actions: a NATO summit with Ukraine’s participation to craft further joint actions which will force Russia to change its course on escalation, providing Ukraine with modern aircraft such as F-15 and F-16, as well as air defence systems, so that we can intercept any Russian missiles. Today, protecting Ukraine’s skies means protecting NATO.”
Late on Tuesday evening, Polish President Andrzej Duda held urgent phone calls on the explosion in eastern Poland with world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukraine’s Zelensky, news outlets reported.
Tuesday was day 265 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, nato.int, CNN, president.gov.ua