Poland sees declining support for Ukrainian refugees and shifting religious trends

Public sentiment in Poland is shifting regarding support for Ukraine and its refugees. A survey by the Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS) indicates that 52% of Poles now oppose hosting Ukrainian refugees. Key drivers for this growing hostility include economic anxieties over social benefit distribution and historical grievances, specifically the Volhynia massacre committed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army between 1943 and 1945.

This shift is further complicated by rising nationalist sentiment and Russian disinformation campaigns. Tensions have manifested in public demonstrations, with increased security required at events celebrating Ukrainian independence due to fears of aggression from anti-Ukrainian protesters.

Within Ukraine, the ongoing war has influenced religious dynamics. While the share of people identifying as religious has fluctuated with periods of social stress, there is a significant decline in identification with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church associated with the Moscow Patriarchate. Most Ukrainians report a more personal religious belief rather than institutional affiliation.