Anti-Ukrainian sentiment is on the rise in Poland, with a series of violent attacks against refugees from the war-torn country. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has condemned the violence and warned of the threat from Russia, calling for a resolute fight against what he described as a growing 'culture of violence.'
The latest incident occurred in Wroclaw, where three Polish men brutally beat a young Ukrainian man and his girlfriend on the street. Cellphone footage shows the attackers kicking the man as he lay on the ground, while the woman sustained injuries to her neck and ear. The assault followed an argument in a shop, sparked by the couple's Ukrainian accents. Police have arrested two suspects, both with prior convictions, and are searching for a third.
Speaking before a cabinet meeting in Warsaw, Tusk said, 'We must wage a resolute fight against this violence, because thugs, hooligans, and this culture of violence are becoming increasingly brazen and insolent — and also because they have received political support.' He warned that such incidents could destroy Poland's international reputation, which was bolstered by its generous assistance to Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Poland has taken in over one million Ukrainian refugees, and around 1.5 million Ukrainians currently reside in the country, contributing to the economy. However, four and a half years into the war, public mood has shifted. Attacks have been reported in Skawina, near Warsaw, and Bielsko-Biala, with victims including schoolchildren. Police recorded 180 hate crimes against Ukrainians in the first half of this year, a third more than in 2025.
The deterioration in relations was exacerbated in May when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded a military unit the honorary title of 'Heroes of the UPA,' a move that infuriated Poland, which holds the Ukrainian Insurgent Army responsible for the mass murder of Polish civilians in Volhynia during World War II. Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Zelenskyy's state order, and Zelenskyy returned it by courier, fueling an avalanche of online hatred.
Opinion polls reflect the changing attitudes: for the first time since the war began, a majority of Poles (54%) oppose accepting more Ukrainian refugees, and 44% are against further aid to Ukraine. The Polish government under Tusk has condemned the attacks, but Nawrocki has remained silent, despite Tusk's urging. Meanwhile, Tusk met with Zelenskyy to discuss security challenges, emphasizing that Ukraine's defense is crucial for Poland's safety, especially after a Russian rocket landed in eastern Poland, leaving a crater ten meters wide.
Tusk acknowledged the unpopularity of pro-Ukraine stance but insisted, 'Poland's security directly depends on the effective actions of Ukrainian forces, including in the air.' He reaffirmed his commitment to supplying weapons to Ukraine, despite opposition protests. The situation remains tense as both countries navigate historical grievances and security imperatives.
Source: www.dw.com