The increase in hate crimes against Ukrainians in Poland coincided with the intensification of Russian information operations. Analysts warn that networks linked to Russia and Belarus have intensified the spread of anti-Ukrainian propaganda, and the police are recording more and more reports from Ukrainian citizens who have become victims of attacks, threats, and insults
According to Bankier.pl, citing data from the Main Police Headquarters, in the first half of 2026, Ukrainians filed 180 reports of hate crimes in Poland. This is a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. If the trend continues, by the end of the year, the number of such reports may reach 360 for the first time.
Most often, Ukrainians report physical assaults, verbal insults, humiliation, and manifestations of hatred on the internet.
Rosyjska propaganda zaostrzyła antyukraińskie kampanie
According to the NASK Center for Analysis of Disinformation, from July 1 to July 13, there was a sharp increase in the activity of accounts linked to Russia and Belarus. Their information campaigns focused on four topics: the creation of a Ukrainian national pantheon, the transfer of missiles to Ukraine for Patriot systems, the publication of materials by the FSB regarding the Volhynia tragedy, and statements by former head of Ukrainian military intelligence Kyrylo Budanov.
According to TVN24, NASK analysts have identified five main narratives that are promoted in the Polish information space:
- Ukraine is allegedly a "Nazi state" that does not respect Polish history
- military aid to Kyiv allegedly weakens Poland's defense capabilities
- Russia allegedly reveals the "truth" about the Volhynia tragedy, while Ukraine hides historical facts
- Ukraine allegedly poses a threat to Poland;
- Polish authorities allegedly intentionally downplay the significance of the Volhynia tragedy
According to analysts, the goal of these campaigns is to foster persistent anti-Ukrainian sentiments, reduce support for cooperation between Warsaw and Kyiv, and undermine trust in Polish state institutions and decisions regarding aid to Ukraine
NASK also pointed out that some Polish politicians have publicly repeated some of these theses in recent days, thereby contributing to their further dissemination.
Poland supported the EU and NATO response
Amid the intensification of information attacks, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the joint statements from the EU and NATO condemning the extensive Russian cyber operations
The agency emphasized that Russia uses intelligence services, cybercriminals, and affiliated structures to conduct influence operations aimed at destabilizing European Union and NATO countries. Poland also supported the introduction of new European sanctions against individuals and organizations involved in such operations.
Sociologist: the number of attacks is increasing
Professor Przemysław Sadura z Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego uważa, że wzrost przestępstw z nienawiści ma bezpośrednie odzwierciedlenie w codziennym życiu.
The reason for his comment was a recent incident on a city bus in Bielsko-Biała. There, a 54-year-old man insulted three Ukrainian women, including two 11-year-old girls, and then used force against one of the women. According to the prosecutor’s office, the suspect has admitted his guilt.
According to Sadura, the only effective way to combat such manifestations remains swift and unavoidable punishment of the guilty
Why Tension is Rising
The sociologist believes that the current situation is the result of several factors. Among them are the long-standing Russian disinformation campaign aimed at inciting hostility between Poles and Ukrainians, the use of anti-Ukrainian sentiments by Polish populists in political struggles, as well as concerns from parts of society about the additional burden on state services following the arrival of millions of Ukrainian refugees.
According to the expert, the state did not explain to citizens in time that it is capable of dealing with these challenges, which is what disinformation spreaders took advantage of
Sadura emphasizes that the case in Bielsko-Biała is far from an exception
“Zarejestrowane ataki to tylko wierzchołek góry lodowej. Jest znacznie więcej zniewag, które nawet nie trafiają do oficjalnych statystyk. Dane policji pokazują również, że liczba aktów przemocy — zarówno werbalnej, jak i fizycznej — nadal rośnie i prawdopodobnie będzie się dalej zwiększać,” zauważył profesor.
According to analysts, the combination of a large-scale information campaign, political polarization, and rising social tension creates a favorable environment for further increases in hate crimes against Ukrainians in Poland
