Maria Zacharova declared on 30 September that European weapons factories for Ukraine are possible military targets for Russia. The message came after asking about servicing and possible production of Patriot missiles in Poland. For Poles it is simply a public threat which requires the protection of plants, air defence and NATO's hard response.
Moscow expands threat directory
Spokeswoman of the Russian Ministry of abroad Affairs Maria Zacharowa spoke these words during Wednesday's briefing. According to Interfax, the facilities located in European countries and producing weapons for Ukraine were named as possible military targets of Russia. Zacharowa besides argued that European countries are active in conflict by military aid, beginning factories and creating joint ventures.
This is another effort to impose Russian logic on Europe: The Kremlin wages an assault war in Ukraine, and states helping victims of aggression are to consider their own defence manufacture a provocation. Zacharov's akin threat had previously been directed at NATO. The repeatability of specified messages shows that intimidation is simply a constant tool for Russian politics, not an accidental stunt by a spokeswoman.
Patriot and Polish background industry
The direct reason for the question addressed to Zacharów was Polish plans for missiles to the Patriot system. Official Communication of the Ministry of Defence of 25 September confirms talks in Washington about the establishment of a service centre for PAC-3 missiles in Poland, possible co-productions and future deliveries. The hotel did not announce in this communication the launch of the mill or its location.
That discrimination matters. Russian propaganda responds to the threat of talking about the capabilities that stay under negotiation. Moscow wants to bring about an effect before investment decisions are taken: rise the political cost of the project, scare entrepreneurs and weaken the will of the countries supporting Ukraine. In the same logic Dmitri Medvedev had previously threatened German weapons plants.
The safety of Poland is at stake
For Poland production and servicing of advanced weapons means jobs, access to technology and greater resilience during the crisis. They besides mean the request for real protection of plants: counterintelligence, anti-aircraft, anti-drone and cybernetic. We must not pretend that Russian words are an empty theatre, since war is going on just beyond our borders, and Russian attacks on Ukraine regularly launch Polish safety procedures.
At the same time Warsaw must keep its head cold. all industrial commitment should strengthen the defence capacity of the Republic in the first place. Ukraine's assistance is in the Polish interest, due to the fact that it binds Russian possible distant from our borders, but it cannot take place at the expense of the supplies needed by the Polish army. The safety of Poles is the first measurement of all decision.
The threat to a plant in NATO is not just a diplomatic dispute. It is simply a test of resilience of the Alliance and European governments. The answer should be investments in production, distribution of supply chains, infrastructure cover and a clear message: Russia will not receive veto rights towards the Polish defence industry.
Source: Interfax, Ministry of Defence, Polsat News."
