Construction of NATO missile base begins

Nearly eight years since Poland and America signed a deal on interceptor missiles, the foundation stone is formally being put in place, although builders have already been at the site of the former airstrip for some months.

"The construction of a missile defense system strengthens the security of Poland," President Duda said.

Russia responds

The building of the site ruffled feathers in the Kremlin, with Russian President commenting on the “threats” to security in the country.

“Now, after the deployment of those anti-missile system elements, we’ll be forced to think about neutralizing developing threats to Russia’s security,” Putin was quoted as saying.

After the United States activated a USD 800 million missile shield in Romania on Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned of a response of a “military and technical nature.”

Protests at home

Meanwhile in Poland, local communities in the Słupsk area have been vocal with protests, concerned over the impact on the local Baltic tourist industry, among other things.

“This is a unique opportunity to clearly and resolutely demonstrate our opposition to this project,” the organisers of the protest wrote in a letter.

“We oppose the terrible information policy of the Polish government on the missile shield. We oppose the lack of interest in the health and safety of the community,” the letter read. (ek/rg)