Anthony Albanese backs investigation into fatal missile strike in Poland

Russia’s war has significantly escalated overnight, with Australian leaders weighing in after a “deeply concerning” development.

Anthony Albanese has thrown his support behind an investigation into how a missile landed in Poland and killed two people overnight.

The Prime Minister met with leaders of the European Union on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali on Wednesday, telling them he backed calls for a “full investigation” into how the fatal strike occurred.

Mr Albanese said the international community should consider an “appropriate response” based on the outcome of the probe.

He condemned Russia’s “reckless and dangerous use of force” and offered his condolences to Poland on the deaths of two of its citizens.

The origin of the fatal blast is yet to be confirmed.

Russia has reportedly fired more than 100 missiles at Ukraine in the past 24 hours, leaving half the country without power in the largest attack on its infrastructure since the war began in February.

Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has condemned Russia’s latest round of missile attacks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Two Polish citizens were killed when a missile landed in Poland near the Ukrainian border, with Polish authorities investigating the origins of the strike.

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday early information suggested the missile might not have been fired from Russia.

“We will make sure we find out exactly what happened,” Mr Biden said.

The leaders of the G7 nations condemned Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine and offered their support for the investigation after convening an emergency roundtable meeting at the G20 Summit.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for calm and urged people to wait for the outcome of the Polish investigation before leaping to any conclusions about who fired the fatal missile.

Two people were killed after what are believed to be stray Russian missiles hit a small Polish village near the border with Ukraine. Picture: Twitter / Moshe Schwartz

Senator Wong said she had spoken to Mr Albanese, the Polish charges d’affairs and Australia’s ambassador to Poland following the strike.

“I would echo the words of the Polish Prime Minister, who said he called on Poles to remain calm and prudent,” Senator Wong said.

“I also say to Australians, we will stay in close contact with our friends and partners.”

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said news of the fatal strike was “deeply, deeply troubling”.

“If an accident occurs, it can result in a real escalation … It shows just how dangerous a game Russia is playing,” Senator Birmingham told ABC Radio.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “dangerous” and “reckless”.

“To see people killed in Poland now is a tragedy for them, for their families, for their country, but for their region as well,” he told Sky News.

“It just highlights the dangerous actions of President Putin, the reckless actions in his invasion into Ukraine, and hundreds of thousands by the end of this conflict will have lost their lives because of decisions he’s made.

“I hope this causes Russia to stop and reflect on the actions, and we don’t want to see an escalation of this conflict.”