Key facts
- Ukrainians in Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic are facing increased aggression.
- Popular local politicians are amplifying anti-Ukrainian narratives online.
- Activists in Berlin reported an incident involving a knife attack on August 24, 2024.
- A Ukrainian refugee in Prague was physically assaulted in June 2025.
- Thousands of crimes against Ukrainians have been logged in Germany since February 24, 2022.
- The AfD party in Germany is actively campaigning against aid to Ukraine.
Ukrainians seeking refuge in Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic are increasingly experiencing aggression, ranging from verbal insults to physical assaults. Journalists from The Kyiv Independent analyzed social media and found that popular local politicians are amplifying anti-Ukrainian narratives, contributing to a hostile environment. Activists in Germany reported facing aggression at pro-Ukraine rallies, including an incident with a knife-wielding man in Berlin on August 24, 2024, where they felt police response was inadequate. In Czechia, a Ukrainian refugee was physically attacked in June 2025, and her assailant was later convicted. Similarly, a Ukrainian woman in Warsaw was verbally abused on public transport for speaking her native language, noting a disturbing lack of intervention from bystanders. Human rights organizations highlight that many incidents go unreported, making the full extent of anti-Ukrainian sentiment difficult to quantify. In Germany, thousands of crimes against Ukrainians have been recorded since February 2022, with a smaller fraction classified as politically motivated. Meanwhile, politicians from Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have publicly opposed aid to Ukraine and made unsubstantiated claims about Ukrainian refugees.