Key facts
- Nationality-based attacks against Ukrainians in Poland, including physical assaults and verbal abuse, are on the rise.
- Polish police recorded 180 hate crime reports against Ukrainians in the first half of 2026, a 30% increase year-over-year.
- Ukraine's naming of a military unit after the World War II-era UPA, viewed negatively in Poland due to its role in massacres, has strained relations.
- Disinformation, including alleged Russian efforts, is identified as a significant factor exacerbating tensions and fueling hate crimes.
- A majority of Poles now oppose taking in Ukrainian refugees, a shift from previous years.
Attacks and hate speech targeting Ukrainian refugees and migrants in Poland have seen a marked increase, fueled by a complex mix of factors including Russian disinformation campaigns, historical grievances, and domestic Polish politics. Polish police have reported a significant rise in hate crimes, with over 180 incidents recorded in the first half of 2026, a 30% jump from the previous year.
The strained relations between Poland and Ukraine have been exacerbated by Ukraine's decision to name a military unit after the World War II-era Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), an organization viewed by many Poles as responsible for massacres of Poles. This dispute has led to a significant worsening of public opinion in Poland towards Ukraine and its people, with a recent poll indicating that a majority of Poles now oppose accepting Ukrainian refugees.
Experts and fact-checkers have identified a surge in disinformation, with some efforts traced back to Russian operations and Vietnam-based online content farms. These campaigns often fabricate or distort incidents to portray Ukrainians negatively, attributing crimes to them or falsely claiming they provoked attacks against themselves. Russian intelligence services are suspected of either inspiring or directly engaging resources to conduct such disinformation operations, aiming to drive a wedge between Ukraine and its allies.
However, Russian disinformation is not the sole driver. The initial wave of pro-Ukrainian solidarity following Russia's full-scale invasion has cooled, giving way to resentment and disputes over trade and historical issues. Anti-Ukrainian sentiments have become a political tool, particularly for right-wing and far-right parties in Poland, who have used it to mobilize voters. A recent report confirmed that Ukrainian migrants and refugees are experiencing increased discrimination and verbal abuse, with some identifying the 2025 Polish presidential election as a turning point in public acceptance of such manifestations.