(NewsNation) — A U.S. missile defense base in Poland is considered a priority target for “potential neutralization” by Russia’s Armed Forces, according to a report from Russian state news outlet TASS.
“Given the level of threats posed by such Western military facilities, the missile defense base in Poland has long been included among the priority targets for potential neutralization. If necessary, this can be achieved using a wide range of advanced weaponry,” Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted by TASS as saying.
There are no offensive weapons at the base in northern Poland — they are purely used for defense.
This comes just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Kremlin fired a hypersonic missile with the capability of carrying a nuclear weapon on the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. The missile that hit Ukraine Thursday did not have a nuclear payload attached to it though.
Putin suggested that this assault was a response to the United States green-lighting Ukraine’s ability to use American-supplied missiles for attacks inside Russia.
Which US base is potential target?
The base Zakharova was referring to is in Redzikowo, Poland, which is about 93 miles from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. It opened just last week, though the North Atlantic Treaty Organization took official command of it Tuesday.
Then-President Barack Obama commissioned the base in 2009 as part of an American anti-missile shield, and construction began in 2016. It is the first permanent installation of the U.S. armed forces in Poland.
Putin raised concerns about the site in March 2024, saying the system in Europe threatens its strategic deterrence.
About 200 military personnel are stationed in Poland and its sister interceptor site is in Romania.
US officials’ response
Asked about these new developments, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said Thursday the U.S. is going to take the rhetoric coming out of Russia “seriously,” but officials’ focus remains on arming and supporting Ukraine.
“As a reminder, as this reckless rhetoric continues, Putin can choose to end this war today. He can choose to withdraw Russian forces and end this,” Singh said.
Escalation “at every turn, at every step” is coming from Russia, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing this week.
“They’re the ones who are escalating this. They’re the ones who started this war,” Jean-Pierre said. “It is because of their aggression into a sovereign territory, Ukraine.”
