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Patriots for Poland and a terrorism designation for Russia
Summary
A look back at two political moves in the days to 24 November 2022, as Europe responded to Russian strikes on Ukraine and a missile blast on Polish soil.
What did Europe's political response to the war look like on 24 November 2022? Two decisions announced in the preceding days framed it: a German offer of air defence for Poland and a European Parliament vote on Russia's status.
Patriots on the Polish border
On 22 November 2022, Germany said it would deploy Patriot surface-to-air missile systems on the Poland–Ukraine border to protect Polish airspace. Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said he had accepted the German proposal.
The offer followed the explosion at Przewodów, a village near the Ukrainian border, on 15 November 2022, which killed two people. Ukraine initially accused Russia of striking Poland, while the United States said the missile was likely an air defence missile fired by Ukrainian forces at an incoming Russian missile. The event took place during Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Later, in September 2023, the Polish Prosecutor's Office stated that the blast was caused by an out-of-control Ukrainian S-300 air defence missile.
Parliament's designation
On 23 November 2022, the European Parliament designated Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. It cited Russian military strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine, including critical infrastructure, hospitals, schools and bomb shelters.
What the two moves showed
Together, the announcements showed attention to the war's effects on both sides of the Ukrainian border: protection of NATO member Poland's airspace on one hand, and a formal political condemnation of attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets on the other.
