'Go back to Ukraine': War refugees complain of abuse in Poland

In Poland, a significant number of Ukrainians have sought refuge due to the ongoing war in their homeland. Currently, there are approximately 2. 5 million Ukrainians residing in Poland, which accounts for nearly 7% of the country's total population. One Ukrainian mother, Svitlana, shared her experience regarding her daughter’s schooling in Poland. She expressed, 'Even when we moved to another area, she didn't want to change schools. She liked it so much. There was no bullying. ' However, this positive experience has taken a turn for the worse. Recently, Svitlana's daughter returned home upset after a boy at school told her, 'Go back to Ukraine. ' This incident left Svitlana shocked and concerned. She is not alone in her feelings; many Ukrainians living in Poland have reported a noticeable increase in anti-Ukrainian sentiment in recent months. Numerous individuals have recounted experiences of being bullied in schools, facing abuse on public transport, and encountering xenophobic content online. The upcoming presidential election in Poland has further intensified these tensions. Svitlana recounted, 'Two weeks ago, she came home and said, 'One boy said to me today, 'Go back to Ukraine. ' Svitlana was astonished. She is among many Ukrainians who have shared their stories with the BBC, highlighting the growing hostility they face. Many have reported being treated poorly in public spaces and hearing negative remarks about Ukrainians. Svitlana also mentioned that at her workplace, people have been making derogatory comments about Ukrainians. She stated, 'It's frightening to live here now. ' This indicates a shift in attitudes towards Ukrainians in Poland. When the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, there was a wave of compassion from the Polish people. Activist Natalia Panchenko recalled, 'It was amazing. Every day people were calling, asking, 'How can we help? ' Some individuals organized humanitarian convoys or opened their homes to refugees, offering food and support. However, Natalia believes that while many Poles still stand with Ukraine, there is a growing number who do not. Her organization has observed a rise in anti-Ukrainian abuse both online and in real life. Natalia noted, 'Recently, we have more and more of these kinds of situations… xenophobic abuse of people working in shops or hotels just because they speak with a Ukrainian accent. ' This highlights the trauma many Ukrainian refugees are experiencing. They are in Poland due to the war, often with family members still in danger back home. Research indicates that public opinion in Poland regarding Ukrainians is deteriorating. A poll conducted in March 2025 revealed that only 50% of Poles support accepting Ukrainian refugees, a decline from 81% just two years prior. This decline is alarming as it reflects a waning support for Ukrainians. The political landscape in Poland is also complicating matters. The presidential election has turned Ukraine into a contentious issue. The leading candidate, Rafal Trzaskowski, is attempting to appeal to a broad audience, which has led him to downplay his pro-Ukrainian stance. Political analyst Marcin Zaborowski commented, 'He's responding to the change in public attitudes. The initial enthusiasm for supporting war victims is disappearing, negative sentiments are taking over. ' This shift in public sentiment is making it challenging for politicians to navigate the issue. Another far-right candidate, Grzegorz Braun, is currently under investigation for tearing down a Ukrainian flag during an election rally, illustrating the seriousness of the situation. The Polish government has also expressed concerns about potential Russian interference in the elections, warning of an 'unprecedented attempt' to spread false information among Polish citizens online. Michal Marek, who monitors disinformation, provided examples of the anti-Ukrainian narratives circulating on social media. He explained, 'The main narratives are that Ukrainians are stealing money from the Polish budget, that Ukrainians do not respect us, that they want to rob and kill us and are responsible for the war. ' He noted that this misinformation often originates from Russian-speaking Telegram channels and is then translated and disseminated within Poland. Marek believes that this disinformation is directly linked to the rise in anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland, with an increasing number of Poles being influenced by such propaganda. He stated, 'But we will only see the effect after the election - what percentage of Poles want to vote for openly pro-Russian candidates. ' The situation for Ukrainians in Poland is becoming increasingly challenging, with many feeling unwelcome and fearful.