If it is an errant Ukrainian surface-to-air missile it will be a tragic accident. For me, the most important fact is that this situation is a Russian creation, regardless of whose metal ultimately fell on and killed these Polish citizens. If Russia had not fired their barrage of missiles, these Polish citizens would not have died today.
Were an air defense missile to kill neighboring citizens in a friendly state during peacetime, there would likely be a serious but dignified investigation, an apology, and reparations. Under the current circumstances this situation will likely be used by Russia and Ukraine to attack each other's moral standing. Unfortunately, Ukraine - having the moral high ground - has much more to lose on the diplomatic stage. I was dismayed to see reports that President Zelenskyy stated that the missile was Russian, not Ukrainian. If that turns out not to be true it seems like a misstep for the usually savvy Zelenskyy administration.
AP is reporting it is now believed to have been a Ukrainian air defense missile. While I am thankful it was this and not something more sinister I wonder how Zelensky will backpedal on this?
These are not the first non-Ukrainian civilians harmed by this conflict: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/14/australia-and-the-netherlands-launch-legal-action-against-russia-over-mh17-disaster
If it is an errant Ukrainian surface-to-air missile it will be a tragic accident. For me, the most important fact is that this situation is a Russian creation, regardless of whose metal ultimately fell on and killed these Polish citizens. If Russia had not fired their barrage of missiles, these Polish citizens would not have died today.
Were an air defense missile to kill neighboring citizens in a friendly state during peacetime, there would likely be a serious but dignified investigation, an apology, and reparations. Under the current circumstances this situation will likely be used by Russia and Ukraine to attack each other's moral standing. Unfortunately, Ukraine - having the moral high ground - has much more to lose on the diplomatic stage. I was dismayed to see reports that President Zelenskyy stated that the missile was Russian, not Ukrainian. If that turns out not to be true it seems like a misstep for the usually savvy Zelenskyy administration.
AP is reporting it is now believed to have been a Ukrainian air defense missile. While I am thankful it was this and not something more sinister I wonder how Zelensky will backpedal on this?