Rising attacks on Ukrainians in Poland fueled by disinformation
Violent incidents targeting Ukrainians in Poland are increasing, with recent events highlighting the growing tensions between the two nations. In Wroclaw, three men attacked a Ukrainian couple, an act police have labeled as nationality-based. This is just one example of a disturbing pattern.
Deteriorating diplomatic relations and historical grievances
The naming of a Ukrainian military unit after the World War II-era Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) has significantly worsened relations between Kyiv and Warsaw. In Ukraine, the UPA is considered a resistance movement, while in Poland, it is remembered for its role in the Volyn massacres, which resulted in the deaths of many Poles. This decision sparked widespread anger in Poland, prompting President Karol Nawrocki to remove the highest state honor from his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
A June poll revealed that more than half of Poles have a more negative view of Ukraine and Ukrainians due to the naming dispute. Additionally, a survey showed that, for the first time since 2014, the majority of Poles oppose accepting Ukrainian refugees, signaling a major shift in public sentiment.
The role of disinformation in the crisis
False claims attributing crimes to Ukrainians are spreading rapidly on social media. One such claim falsely accused a "Ukrainian couple" of igniting a fire in a housing complex in Zabki. However, investigators determined that arson was not the cause. Another fabricated story claimed a Ukrainian refugee woman had murdered a Polish man who had sheltered her for years, even though the story was entirely false.
Pawel Cymbor, a representative from the FakeNews.pl fact-checking group, explains that violent crime reports are often circulated online with the perpetrator assumed to be Ukrainian, regardless of the actual truth. This pattern fuels hate speech and fuels false narratives.
Anna Mierzynska, a social media analyst and expert on disinformation, suggests that online content farms based in Vietnam are distributing anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian content. These farms may be linked to Russian disinformation operations, as they have recently shifted their focus toward anti-Ukrainian narratives.
Russian disinformation efforts were also found in videos spread on Russian Telegram channels, showing supposed "Ukrainian patriots" trampling on Polish flags. Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation described the action as a "provocation by Russian intelligence services."
The impact on Ukrainian refugees
Poland is home to over 900,000 Ukrainian refugees, the second-largest group in the EU. These refugees, who have fled Russia's full-scale invasion, are now facing increasing hostility and disinformation. The Polish police reported 180 hate crime incidents against Ukrainians in the first half of 2026, marking a 30% increase from the same period last year.
This growing hostility is not just limited to online platforms. In Bielsko-Biala, a 54-year-old man insulted a group of Ukrainians, including two young girls, an incident recorded by one of the children. In Poznan, two men with far-right ties confronted a Ukrainian woman who runs a legal aid office for Ukrainians, accusing her of supporting a controversial historical figure.
Fact-checkers in Poland have reported a sharp rise in disinformation aimed at Ukraine and its refugees. The main theme of these false claims is the blame placed on Ukrainians for various crimes. Even when attacks happen, some narratives twist the truth, making the Ukrainian victims appear at fault.
The broader geopolitical context
The crisis in Polish-Ukrainian relations is influenced by more than just disinformation. Diplomatic disputes, historical grievances, and domestic politics in Poland are all contributing to the current situation. The UPA naming dispute has exposed underlying tensions and historical wounds that both countries have yet to fully address.
Experts warn that the current trend could lead to further divisions between Ukraine and its allies. The spread of disinformation, particularly from sources linked to Russian interests, threatens to exacerbate these tensions and create further instability in the region.
