Poland sees rise in attacks against Ukrainian refugees

Reports indicate a significant rise in attacks against Ukrainian refugees in Poland, with official data showing a 30 percent increase in such incidents during the first half of the year. Recent viral footage from Poznan shows women verbally abusing and physically attacking men for speaking Ukrainian; Polish police have reportedly detained one of the aggressors.

Incidents of violence have also been reported involving children, including an assault on two minors in Bydgoszcz and the harassment of young girls in Bielsko-Biala. Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński has pledged ‘zero tolerance for aggression and hatred’ in response to these events.

Social and political tensions appear to be rising, with recent polling by CBOS showing that 46 percent of Poles view relations with Ukraine negatively, the highest level recorded. Analysts suggest that nationalist rhetoric may be contributing to the increased frequency of these attacks. In response, the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reportedly developing a public diplomacy plan to improve Ukraine’s image in Poland.