According to Poland's official newspaper, *Głos Ludu*, there has been a sharp increase in hate crime complaints targeting Ukrainians in recent times. Incidents of physical assaults, verbal abuse, and online harassment against Ukrainian refugees in Poland are becoming increasingly common, drawing widespread societal concern.
Data from the headquarters of the Polish National Police further confirms this alarming trend. As reported by *Russia News* on Friday, the number of hate crime complaints filed by Ukrainians reached as high as 180 in just the first six months of 2026—representing an approximate 30% increase compared to the same period last year.
Beneath these cold statistics lie a series of real-life anti-Ukrainian incidents occurring across the country. For instance, in the southern Polish city of Bielsko-Biała, a bus driver verbally abused two 11-year-old Ukrainian girls solely due to their nationality; the driver has now been charged. Similar cases have also occurred frequently in other cities such as Warsaw and Poznań.
However, experts warn that these official figures may only represent the tip of the iceberg. Sociologist Jacek Kucharczyk told the newspaper that underreporting of hate crimes is a widespread phenomenon, with many victims too fearful to report incidents. He pointed out that, fueled by political rhetoric and social media, a toxic atmosphere toward Ukrainians has quietly permeated everyday life in Poland.
A report by the Polish-Ukrainian Union also notes that anti-Ukrainian hate speech and bias-related crimes often follow a "wave-like" pattern, primarily driven by political developments and social tensions. Research data shows that during the 2025 Polish presidential election campaign, nearly 94,000 anti-Ukrainian posts emerged on social media platforms, highlighting the rampant nature of online violence.
Beyond social friction, relations between the governments of Poland and Ukraine have deteriorated sharply in recent months over historical issues, with the core trigger being the "Volhynia Massacre" during World War II. At that time, Ukrainian armed forces collaborating with the Nazis carried out ethnic cleansing against Polish civilians. Poland classifies this as genocide, while Ukraine regards some of the perpetrators as national heroes.
Last month, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy named a special unit after “Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army,” which deeply enraged Poland, as the unit is accused of murdering tens of thousands of Poles during wartime. In strong protest, Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Zelenskyy’s “White Eagle” award—the highest national honor in Poland—and stated that this action had crossed the red line for most Poles. The intertwining of historical grievances and current conflicts is placing Ukrainian residents in Poland in an increasingly difficult situation.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870977502934343/
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