The question is based on recent events:
Yesterday (15th Nov 2022) a supposedly stray missile hit Polish territory, causing loss of life (2 fatalities) and property damage. Poland is non-belligerent state in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, while its neutrality may be challenged. At the moment it is unknown whether it is a stray Russian missile intended to hit target in Ukraine or Ukrainian one which failed to intercept a Russian missile. Deliberate targeting of Polish ground is considered unlikely.
So we have a country A invaded by the country B. B launches its missiles against targets in A, A attempts to intercept them. A stray missile flies into territory of non-belligerent country C and inflicts damage. What entity is legally obliged to compensate for the damage (state A, state B, their embassies, state C, nobody)?
Does it matter:
- who launched the missile (A or B),
- whether C is strictly neutral or supported either side of the conflict somehow (e.g. delivering war materials)?