Editor’s note: The Associated Press has retracted the story on which this report was based. The reporter, Associated Press national security correspondent James LaPorta, was also fired. The Daily Wire’s original story appears below:
Russia reportedly fired missiles Tuesday into Poland, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), killing two people and sparking fears of what kind of response the incident could elicit from NATO.
The Associated Press’ report, which came from information it received from a senior U.S. official, said that the missile strikes came as Russia was targeting Ukrainian energy facilities across the country with “its biggest barrage of missiles yet.” The strike reportedly happened 15 miles inside of Poland’s border at a farm.
The report said that the Polish government did not immediately confirm the report.
The Department of Defense said at a press conference that they could not confirm the report.
“We are aware of the press reports alleging that two Russian missiles have struck a location inside Poland near the Ukraine border,” Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said. “I can tell you that we don’t have any information at this time to corroborate those reports and are looking into this further.”
Ryder added, “When it comes to our security commitments and Article 5, we’ve been crystal clear that we will defend every inch of NATO territory.”
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the news on Twitter, saying that the development was “concerning” and they would defend Poland if it was attacked by Russia.
“Latest news from Poland is most concerning,” the statement said. “We are consulting closely with Poland and other Allies. Estonia is ready to defend every inch of NATO territory. We’re in full solidarity with our close ally Poland.”
Latest news from Poland is most concerning. We are consulting closely with Poland and other Allies. Estonia is ready to defend every inch of NATO territory. We’re in full solidarity with our close ally Poland 🇵🇱
— Estonian MFA 🇪🇪 | 🌻 #StandWithUkraine (@MFAestonia) November 15, 2022
NATO was created with the primary mission of countering attempts by the then-Soviet Union to expand into Eastern Europe and other areas by uniting member nations in a collective defense against attacks through NATO’s Article 5.
Article 5, which was first invoked after Islamic terrorists attacked the U.S. on September 11, 2001, ensures that “an attack against one Ally is considered as an attack against all Allies.”
