# Controversy over POLIN director's historical comparisons

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/controversy-over-polin-directors-historical-comparisons
> Updated: 2026-08-26T17:15:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Dariusz Stola, director of the POLIN Museum, sparked controversy by comparing the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) to Polish nationalist groups, specifically the National Armed Forces (NSZ) and the National Radical Camp (ONR). Stola stated these Polish organizations shared a ‘very similar program’ to the UPA, describing them as ‘enemies of democracy and enemies of national minorities.’ He noted that expecting a reckoning with the UPA legacy during the ongoing war is ‘unrealistic.’

In response, the Association of NSZ Soldiers issued an open letter to Poland’s Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Marta Cieńkowska. The Association demanded an official condemnation of the remarks and called for Stola’s dismissal, labeling the comparison ‘deeply offensive and historically unjust.’ While reports indicated Stola clarified that the NSZ was not responsible for the Volhynia massacres and was not the same as the UPA, the Association continues to seek government support to protect the reputation of the NSZ.

## Claims

- The Association of NSZ Soldiers sent an open letter to Minister of Culture Marta Cieńkowska. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The organization demands the condemnation of Professor Dariusz Stola's remarks. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The organization is considering the dismissal of Dariusz Stola from his position as director of POLIN. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Professor Dariusz Stola compared the NSZ and ONR to the UPA. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Sejm passed a resolution on September 15, 2017, recognizing the merits of the NSZ. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Stola stated that the NSZ and UPA were not the same and that the NSZ was not responsible for the Volhynia massacres. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: NSZ Soldiers Association demands action over POLIN director's remarks

The Association of NSZ Soldiers has called on Poland's Culture Minister to condemn and consider removing POLIN Museum director Dariusz Stola following his comparison of the NSZ to the UPA.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nsz-soldiers-association-demands-action-over-polin-directors-remarks

### 2026-08-10: Dariusz Stola compares UPA to Polish nationalist groups

POLIN Museum director Dariusz Stola compared the programs of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army to Poland's NSZ and ONR, calling them enemies of democracy and minorities.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dariusz-stola-compares-upa-to-polish-nationalist-groups

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Cite as: Controversy over POLIN director's historical comparisons. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/controversy-over-polin-directors-historical-comparisons