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Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision on 'UPA heroes' impacts Polish attitudes toward Ukrainians, poll shows
🇵🇱 Poland /Culture & Society

Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision on 'UPA heroes' impacts Polish attitudes toward Ukrainians, poll shows

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to grant the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA" to a special operations unit has strained Polish-Ukrainian relations.
  • The UPA, responsible for the Volhynian genocide of Poles, is viewed by some Ukrainians as independence fighters, creating a historical dispute.
  • Polish officials, including the president of the Institute of National Remembrance, have expressed strong disapproval, with discussions about revoking a state honor awarded to Zelenskyy.

A decision by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to bestow the honorary title "Heroes of the UPA" upon a special operations unit has ignited controversy and strained relations with Poland. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), active from 1942 to 1954, is held responsible by Poland for the genocidal massacres of Poles in Volhynia, an event that claimed the lives of up to 100,000 Polish civilians.

The Ukrainian Insurgent Army, an armed organization active from 1942-1954, subordinate to the Banderite faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, is responsible for carrying out the Volhynian genocide – a genocidal operation in the territory of pre-war eastern Polish Kresy, aimed at changing the ethnic composition of these lands.

— Article TextContext describing the UPA and its actions.

The UPA's actions, particularly the brutal killings during the summer of 1943, often targeting Polish civilians on Sundays and using horrific methods, remain a deeply painful historical memory in Poland. While some Ukrainians view the UPA as heroes of their struggle for independence, their legacy is inextricably linked to the massacres in the eyes of many Poles.

This historical dispute has become a significant point of contention in Polish-Ukrainian relations. In response to Zelenskyy's decision, Poland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to express concern. Polish politicians across the political spectrum have condemned the move, with the president of the Institute of National Remembrance, Karol Nawrocki, announcing his intention to seek the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest state honor, previously awarded to Zelenskyy.

We are concerned about the decision made by the President of Ukraine.

— Marcin BosackiPolish Deputy Foreign Minister expressing Poland's reaction to Zelenskyy's decision.

Ukrainian officials have attempted to de-escalate the situation, with the deputy foreign minister explaining that the unit's soldiers themselves chose the name. However, the controversy persists, with Polish lawmakers proposing parliamentary resolutions to commemorate the victims of the Volhynian genocide and discussions even arising about potentially suspending Polish support for Ukraine.

The name 'heroes of the UPA' was chosen by the soldiers of the unit themselves.

— Andriy SybihaUkrainian Foreign Ministry head explaining the origin of the unit's name.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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