# Hostility toward Ukrainian athletes in Poland

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hostility-toward-ukrainian-athletes-in-poland
> Updated: 2026-08-18T16:07:01.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Ukrainian volleyball player Vasyl Tupchiy has reported rising hostility toward Ukrainians in Poland following the merger of the Jastrzębski Węgiel club with the Ukrainian side Barkom-Każany Lwów to form Jastrzębie Barkom.

Tupchiy cited instances of nationality-based mistreatment, including physical vandalism such as damaged vehicles and offensive messages telling Ukrainians to ‘go home’ or ‘go back to Ukraine’. He also noted that a club fan zone director expressed a lack of support for the team because it is no longer exclusively a Polish club.

Due to this environment of verbal hostility and discrimination, the 34-year-old athlete has indicated that the current season may be his last in Poland.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Polish football clubs active in summer transfer window

Polish football clubs are active in the summer transfer window, with Górnik Zabrze, Lechia Gdańsk, and Legia Warszawa managing significant player movements and high-value negotiations.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vasyl-tupchiy-to-leave-poland-due-to-fan-hostility

### 2026-08-18: Wasyl Tupczij reports rising hostility toward Ukrainians in Poland

Ukrainian volleyball player Wasyl Tupczij reports rising hostility toward Ukrainians in Poland, citing incidents of vandalism and lack of support following the formation of the Jastrzębie Barkom club.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wasyl-tupczij-reports-rising-hostility-toward-ukrainians-in-poland

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Cite as: Hostility toward Ukrainian athletes in Poland. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hostility-toward-ukrainian-athletes-in-poland