Poland may transfer new Patriot missile batch to Ukraine – Defense Ministry

Poland is contemplating the transfer of an additional batch of Patriot missiles to Ukraine, according to Deputy Minister of National Defense Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka. The decision is anticipated to be made within the coming days, contingent on a thorough evaluation of Polish security interests. Discussions are currently underway with both NATO and the United States regarding this potential move, as reported by the broadcaster RMF FM.

The Deputy Defense Minister highlighted a recent incident involving a Russian missile entering Polish airspace as a factor influencing the decision. She noted that Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is currently supportive of the transfer, expressing a preference for the missile to be shot down over Ukrainian territory rather than posing a threat to Polish airspace.

Sobkowiak-Czarnecka did not provide a specific timeline for the decision, stating that it is a matter for the coming days. In July, the Ministry of Defense confirmed that Poland had transferred several PAC-3 missiles intended for Patriot systems to Ukraine, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk reporting that this involved five missiles. Following a missile incident in Poland, Tusk announced that Warsaw would consider further transfers of missile systems to Ukraine in the near future.