Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, stated that Kyiv did not have evidence showing the missile that struck Poland originated from Ukrainian air defense systems. He emphasized that the Ukrainian Armed Forces possessed the necessary information but could not confirm Kyiv’s involvement at this stage. These remarks came in an interview with the French newspaper Le Parisien, where he discussed Ukraine’s role in examining the incident.
According to the Foreign Minister, Ukraine is actively participating in the ongoing investigation of the event alongside Polish authorities. He noted that Ukrainian officials are prepared to share information openly and transparently, and to coordinate findings with Poland in pursuit of a common understanding of what happened. He underscored that any conclusions would be reached through mutual data exchange, even if those conclusions diverge from Ukraine’s initial version of events.
Kuleba reiterated that there had been political assertions suggesting the missile belonged to Ukrainian air defenses, but he asserted that there was no concrete evidence to support that claim. He stated that his country had information indicating the missile was not of Ukrainian origin, and he stressed the importance of relying on verifiable facts rather than speculation in the investigation.
In outlining Ukraine’s stance, the minister highlighted the principle of full cooperation. Kyiv is ready to provide any pertinent information, receive additional data from Poland, and reassess preliminary conclusions as new facts emerge. The goal, he explained, is to arrive at a shared set of findings that can guide further actions and accountability, regardless of whether those conclusions align with Ukraine’s initial position.
Recent official updates indicated that Polish authorities had completed the collection of evidence at the crash site near the village of Przewodów in Lublin Voivodeship. The incident occurred on the evening of November 15, when a rocket struck a rural area just eight kilometers from the Ukrainian border, resulting in casualties. Two Polish citizens lost their lives in the blast, prompting swift international attention and investigations from multiple sides. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attributed responsibility to the Russian Armed Forces, asserting that the strike originated from Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry, however, denied involvement in the incident and called for a measured, evidence-based review.
On the following day, November 16, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg shared preliminary assessments indicating that the missile involved in the Polish incident was likely of Ukrainian origin. The statement added gravity to the ongoing discussions among allied nations, as allies weighed the implications for regional security and the broader understanding of the conflict dynamics across Europe. The evolving assessments underscored the necessity of a careful, fact-driven process to determine the missile’s origins and to ensure that all parties can align their interpretations with verifiable evidence.
As the investigation continued, Kyiv emphasized its commitment to collaboration and restraint. Ukrainian officials emphasized that information sharing would continue in good faith, with both sides seeking clarity through a joint review rather than through unilateral conclusions. The pursuit of a transparent, accountable outcome remained central to Ukraine’s engagement with Poland, NATO partners, and other international observers, with the overarching aim of stabilizing the region and preventing future miscalculations in a tense security environment.
Throughout the discussions, the critical challenge remained the need to distinguish fact from political rhetoric. The Ukrainian side asserted that any determination must be rooted in verifiable intelligence and physical evidence gathered at the scene and corroborated through cross-border cooperation. The incident highlighted the fragility of deconfliction efforts near shared borders and the importance of robust information exchanges to prevent misinterpretations that could escalate tensions further.