History dispute fuels attacks on Ukrainians in Poland

Tensions are rising for Ukrainians living in Poland, with a growing number of reports detailing attacks and abuse against them. This surge in hostility coincides with a political dispute between Poland and Ukraine over historical grievances, specifically concerning the Ukrainian Insurgent Army's (UPA) actions during World War II.

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The victims are both Poles and foreigners. The police will react decisively in all cases: "Zero tolerance!"

Recent incidents highlight the escalating situation. In Bielsko-Biala, a man verbally abused Ukrainian girls on a bus, telling them to return to their country. In Sosnowiec, a man was arrested for allegedly attacking Ukrainians multiple times in recent weeks. Lodz saw a Pole attack another man, mistaking him for a Ukrainian, leaving the victim injured.

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Their target are Ukrainians, who are supposedly responsible for all our problems and failures.

Poland's Interior Minister Marcin Kierwinski condemned the violence, accusing the political right of inciting anti-Ukrainian sentiment. He pledged a "zero tolerance" approach from the police. The newspaper "Gazeta Wyborcza" characterized the situation as a "witch hunt," suggesting Ukrainians are being blamed for Poland's problems.

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Should Ukrainians of military age be sent back to their homeland?

While Poland initially welcomed hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees after Russia's invasion, public sentiment appears to be shifting. Some politicians, like national-conservative MP Janusz Kowalski, have questioned whether military-aged Ukrainian men should be sent back to their home country. Conservative commentator Lukasz Warzecha, however, downplayed the incidents, calling them isolated and exaggerated, and asserting that most Ukrainians feel comfortable in Poland.

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The assaults are isolated incidents that are being exaggerated. The majority of Ukrainians feel comfortable in Poland, and nobody harasses them.