Poland commemorates Volhynia massacre as officials vow to ban UPA flag and block Ukraine’s EU entry

July 11 2026 marked the 83rd anniversary of the World‑War‑II‑era Volhynia (Wołyń) massacre, in which Ukrainian nationalist OUN‑UPA units killed between 100 000 and 120 000 Polish civilians. Nationwide ceremonies were held in towns such as Tomaszów Mazowiecki, Brzesko, Trójca, Kadzidło and Radruż, with masses, wreath‑laying and speeches.

President Karol Nawrocki, speaking at the Radruż ceremony, pledged to criminalise the red‑and‑black flag of Ukrainian nationalists, comparing it to Nazi “Blut und Boden” symbolism and warning that praising genocide encourages future atrocities.

Law‑and‑justice party (PiS) leaders Jarosław Kaczyński and Przemysław Czarnek announced plans to submit a Sejm resolution opposing Ukraine’s accession to the EU unless the glorification of UPA leaders ends. The party also intends to block Ukraine’s entry into the “community of civilised states.”

Comments by Oleksii Alfiorov, head of Ukraine’s Institute of Memory, about the massacre sparked criticism in Poland. The dispute has strained Polish‑Ukrainian relations, especially after President Zelensky’s naming of a Ukrainian unit “Heroes of UPA” and the revocation of his Polish state honour. A recent poll showed a majority of Poles favour cooperation between Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Nawrocki on Ukraine policy.