Historian Michał Siekierka denied entry to Ukraine

Dr. Michał Siekierka, a historian from the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), was denied entry into Ukraine by border guards at the Dorohusk-Jagodzin crossing on August 30, 2026. Siekierka was traveling to Ostrówki in the Volhynia region to attend a funeral for the remains of 55 Polish victims of the 1943 massacres committed by the OUN and UPA.

Upon inspection, Siekierka discovered a three-year entry ban issued in 2023 based on a decision by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The historian stated he had received no prior notification, charges, or explanation regarding the ban.

Polish politicians, including Vice-Marshal of the Sejm Krzysztof Bosak, have criticized the incident, calling for a firm response from the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bosak suggested that Ukraine may be maintaining a list of individuals barred from entry, noting an asymmetry in travel policies between the two nations. Other officials noted that such denials of entry to Polish activists and researchers have become a recurring practice.