On Thursday, Russia expressed concerns that the establishment of a new U.S. ballistic missile defence base in northern Poland would elevate the overall nuclear threat. In response, Warsaw asserted that the “threats” posed by Moscow only reinforced the case for bolstering NATO defences.
The air defence base in Redzikowo, a town near the Baltic coast, officially opened on November 13 as part of a larger NATO missile shield initiative.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova characterised the recent move as another provocative action in a series of destabilising measures taken by the United States and its allies within the North Atlantic Alliance in the strategic arena.
“This leads to undermining strategic stability, increasing strategic risks and, as a result, to an increase in the overall level of nuclear danger.”
Pawel Wronski, spokesperson for Poland’s foreign ministry, stated that the base does not house any nuclear missiles, emphasising its sole purpose is for defence.
“It functions as a base intended for defence rather than offence,” Wronski stated. “These threats are likely to bolster the case for enhancing air defences in Poland and NATO, and they warrant consideration by the United States as well.”
The U.S. facility at Redzikowo is integrated into a more extensive NATO missile defence system known as “Aegis Ashore.” According to the alliance, this system intercepts short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
“The missile defence base in Poland has been identified as a priority target for potential destruction due to the nature and level of threats posed by Western military facilities, according to Zakharova. She emphasised that this action could be carried out using a variety of advanced weapons if deemed necessary.”
NATO has confirmed that its missile shield comprises installations in Poland and Romania, along with U.S. Navy destroyers stationed at a naval base in Spain and an early warning radar system in Turkey.