Attacks on Ukrainians in Poland rise as public attitudes deteriorate, ambassador says
Quick Look
- Attacks on Ukrainians in Poland increased by around 30% in the first half of 2026 compared to previous years, according to Ukraine's ambassador to Warsaw, Vasily Bondar, who cited Polish police data showing 180 incidents in the first six months of 2026.
- His remarks followed a deadly knife attack at a Benedictine abbey in Jaroslaw by a 31-year-old Ukrainian man that killed a priest and injured four others.
- Bondar noted that more incidents are being classified as hate crimes, while also stating that Ukrainians committed 10,800 offenses in Poland during the same period, a figure he deemed statistically insignificant given the ~2 million Ukrainian nationals residing in the country.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The article describes rising attacks on Ukrainians in Poland and worsening public attitudes toward Ukrainian refugees, set against historical tensions between Warsaw and Kiev over Ukraine's veneration of nationalist figures associated with WWII-era massacres of ethnic Poles. It notes that Polish police recorded 180 attacks or acts of aggression against Ukrainians in the first half of 2026, up from 267 in 2024 and 275 in all of 2025, representing a ~30% increase. A deadly knife attack at a Benedictine abbey in Jaroslaw by a 31-year-old Ukrainian man killed a priest and injured four others, prompting the ambassador's remarks.
Attacks on Ukrainians in Poland have continued to rise as public attitudes toward Ukrainian refugees deteriorate, Kiev’s ambassador to Warsaw, Vasily Bondar, has said. His remarks came a day after a Ukrainian man was detained over a deadly knife attack at a Catholic abbey in southeastern Poland.
Polish police recorded 180 attacks or acts of aggression against Ukrainians in the first half of 2026, Bondar told RBK Ukraine in an interview published on Friday. There were 275 such incidents in all of 2025, up from 267 in 2024.
“We do see an increase of around 30%,” the diplomat said. He added that more incidents are now being classified as hate crimes against Ukrainians rather than ordinary domestic offenses.
Bondar also said Ukrainians committed 10,800 offenses in Poland during the first half of 2026, but argued the figure was statistically insignificant given that around 2 million Ukrainian nationals live in the country.
His comments came a day after a 31-year-old Ukrainian man allegedly stabbed five people at a Benedictine abbey in Jaroslaw, killing a priest and injuring four others. Polish authorities have said they are still investigating the motive and circumstances of the attack.
The incident comes amid worsening Polish attitudes toward Ukrainian refugees and continued tensions between Warsaw and Kiev over historical disputes, including Ukraine’s veneration of nationalist figures associated with the WWII-era massacres of ethnic Poles.
Bondar acknowledged that Polish society has a “consolidated public opinion” that is “highly negative” toward some historical figures regarded as heroes in Ukraine. He nevertheless argued that Kiev “could not give up its national interests” for the sake of better relations with Warsaw.
A July survey by polling agency CBOS found that, for the first time since it began tracking the issue, a majority of Poles opposed accepting Ukrainian refugees. Some 52% were against taking them in, compared with 42% in favor.
A separate CBOS survey conducted in July found that 53% of Poles believed reconciliation with Ukrainians was possible – the lowest level recorded – while 38% said it was impossible.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Polish authorities will likely increase classification of attacks on Ukrainians as hate crimes rather than ordinary offenses.
Likely · Within months
Public opposition to accepting Ukrainian refugees in Poland may continue to grow if current trends persist.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the motive behind the Jaroslaw abbey stabbing attack?
- Are Polish authorities considering specific measures to address the rise in hate crimes against Ukrainians?
- How are Ukrainian authorities responding to the increase in attacks on their nationals in Poland?
- What specific historical figures are causing tensions between Poland and Ukraine, and how are they being commemorated in Ukraine?
