Article Five
A Russian missile struck Polish territory Thursday during a widespread bombing of Ukraine. While both Russian and Polish officials state Poland was not the target of the attack, the errant missile caused NATO to scramble warplanes and increased concern that the war between Russia and Ukraine could expand. It also reignited the possibility that NATO could be pulled into the war if Russia’s attacks again spill into the boundaries of a NATO country (Poland is a NATO member).
Article 5 of North Atlantic Treaty treats an attack on any member country as an attack on all member countries and calls for the collective defense of the attacked member. Poland has not invoked Article 5 in the wake of this week’s bombing (in fact, the September 11, 2001 attack on the U.S. is the only time Article 5 has been invoked), but the incident has significantly raised the level of alarm in the region.
Analysis and eternal perspective: The misery and grief of war was again on full display in this attack. Ten people, including at least three children, were killed in Ukraine by the bombings, and more than 50 were injured. It is an all-too-common reality of the ongoing war, as civilian casualties and injuries continue to climb.
The rest of the world is understandably on high alert due to the infringement on NATO territory, but the Ukrainian people have been under this assault for four years. It is simply more of the same for their war-torn country and people. As we pray for peace (Ps. 34:14), let us do so for both the people of Ukraine who have long been under fire and for those in the surrounding region who could be drawn into the fight.
“God, we pray out of Psalm 89. You are our shield. You are our glory and our strength. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne, and love and faithfulness go before you. Come now and bring peace to the afflicted, and justice to the oppressor. Those under attack are weary and need a reprieve only You can provide. We give you thanks and praise in advance, and we come to You in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.”