Svitlana says her daughter loved her school in Poland. "Even when we moved to another area, she didn't want to change schools," says the 31-year-old Ukrainian mother. "She liked it so much. There was no bullying." Now she says the atmosphere at the school – and in Poland overall – has changed. "Two weeks ago, she came home and said "One boy said to me today, 'Go back to Ukraine'." Svitlana was astonished. She is one of dozens of Ukrainians living in Poland who have told the BBC that anti-Ukrainian sentiment has risen considerably in recent months. Many described experiencing abuse on public transport, bullying in schools and xenophobic material online. A polarising presidential election campaign has added to the tension, with the first round of voting taking place on Sunday. The day after Svitlana's daughter was told to go back to Ukraine, the abuse became even worse. "Girls from the class above started complaining about her speaking Ukrainian. Then they pretended to fall to the ground shouting 'Missile! Get down!' and laughing," Svitlana says. "She came home crying." A Russian missile had slammed into Svitlana's hometown in Ukraine days before, killing scores of civilians, including children. Her daughter was traumatised. Svitlana – not her real name did not want to be identified as shefears reprisals. She showed us screenshots of messages with school staff where she complains about her daughter's treatment. She said she had noticed attitudes changing towards Ukrainians in other places, too: "At work, many people have been saying Ukrainians come here and behave badly. And my Ukrainian friends say they want to go home because Polish people don't accept us. It's frightening to live here now." According to government statistics, at least 2.5 million Ukrainians live in Poland, comprising almost 7% of the total population of Poland. When the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, there was an outpouring of compassion from Poles. "It was amazing. Every day people were calling, asking, 'How can we help?'" says activist Natalia Panchenko, head of the Warsaw-based 'Stand with Ukraine' Foundation. "Some of them organised humanitarian convoys or brought refugees here. They gave their houses, food, everything they have – and their hearts, too." Three years later, Natalia says she believes the majority of Poles still support Ukraine. But some don't – and her organisation has noticed an upsurge of anti-Ukrainian online abuse that began several months ago. "Then it started to come to real life," she says. "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." Natalia says that many Ukrainian refugees are traumatised. "These groups of women and children are in Poland because of the war, very often their relatives are on the front line, in captivity or dead... and this is the group of people being targeted." Research suggests that Poland's public opinion of Ukrainians is indeed worsening. According to a March 2025 poll by the respected CBOS Centre, just 50% of Poles are in favour of accepting Ukrainian refugees, a fall of seven percentage points in four months. Two years ago, the figure was 81%. Around a million Ukrainians are officially registered as having arrived after the start of the full-scale invasion. Poland spends 4.2% of its GDP on Ukrainian refugees. Ukraine has become a hot-button political issue in Poland's crucial presidential election campaign. Far-right populist Slawomir Mentzen, currently polling third, is virulently anti-Ukrainian and supports an "agreement" with Russia's Vladimir Putin. In second place is conservative Karol Nawrocki, who opposes EU and Nato membership for Ukraine and financial assistance for refugees, but supports the war effort. The most pro-Ukraine candidate is front-runner Rafal Trzaskowski from Prime Minister Donald Tusk's coalition, although even he has promised a reduction in social welfare for Ukrainians. Trzaskowski has refrained from espousing his pro-Ukrainian credentials in order to attract the centrist vote in the elections, says political analyst Marcin Zaborowski. "He's responding to the change in public attitudes. The initial enthusiasm for supporting war victims is disappearing, negative sentiments are taking over and it's not an entirely comfortable issue for him." Another far-right candidate, Grzegorz Braun, is under investigation by police for tearing down a Ukrainian flag from a city hall building during an election rally in April. Braun, who is polling at just 3%, regularly fulminates against what he calls the "Ukrainisation of Poland". Last week, the Polish government warned of an "unprecedented attempt" by Russia to interfere in the Polish elections by spreading "false information among Polish citizens online". Moscow denies all allegations of election interference. Michal Marek, who runs an NGO that monitors disinformation and propaganda in Poland, offers some examples of the anti-Ukraine material being circulated on social media. "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 says. "This information starts in Russian-speaking Telegram channels, and, after that, we see the same photos and the same text just translated by Google Translate. And they are pushing [the material] into the Polish infosphere." Mr Marek links such disinformation directly with the increase in anti-Ukraine sentiment in Poland, and says an increasing number of Poles are becoming influenced by propaganda. "But we will only see the effect after the election - what percentage of Poles want to vote for openly pro-Russian candidates."
'Go back to Ukraine': War refugees complain of abuse in Poland
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Ukrainian Refugees Face Rising Anti-Ukrainian Sentiment in Poland Amid Election Tensions"
Bbc News
7.8
TruthLens AI Summary
Recent reports indicate a significant rise in anti-Ukrainian sentiment among some Polish citizens, particularly affecting the experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Svitlana, a Ukrainian mother, shared troubling accounts of her daughter's experiences at school, where she faced bullying and xenophobic remarks. Initially welcomed with open arms following the onset of the war in Ukraine, many Ukrainians now report feeling unwelcome and targeted, with instances of public abuse and derogatory comments on social media increasing. The shift in public sentiment coincides with Poland's upcoming presidential elections, which have intensified political discourse surrounding Ukrainian refugees. Svitlana's observations reflect a broader trend, as many Ukrainians express a desire to return home due to their perceived lack of acceptance in Poland. Activists note that while a significant portion of the Polish population continues to support Ukraine, there is a growing faction that harbors negative views towards Ukrainian refugees, often fueled by disinformation campaigns and political rhetoric.
Activist Natalia Panchenko, who leads the 'Stand with Ukraine' Foundation in Warsaw, confirmed a disturbing increase in xenophobic incidents against Ukrainians, noting that many refugees are already traumatized by the war. The changing attitudes are evident in public opinion surveys, which show a decline in Polish support for accepting Ukrainian refugees. As political candidates navigate their positions on Ukraine amidst the rising tensions, some are revising their stances to align with shifting public sentiment. For instance, the front-runner Rafal Trzaskowski has moderated his pro-Ukrainian stance to appeal to centrist voters, indicating a strategic response to the evolving political landscape. Concurrently, far-right candidates are gaining traction by promoting anti-Ukrainian narratives, further complicating the situation for refugees who are already vulnerable due to their circumstances. Overall, the combination of political maneuvering, public opinion shifts, and the impact of misinformation is creating a challenging environment for Ukrainian refugees living in Poland.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on the growing anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland, particularly in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the influx of Ukrainian refugees. It highlights personal accounts of Ukrainian nationals facing verbal abuse, bullying, and a deterioration in the welcoming atmosphere that initially characterized Polish society's response to the refugee crisis. The change in sentiment appears to be associated with a polarizing political climate in Poland, especially with the presidential election approaching.
Rising Anti-Ukrainian Sentiment
The experiences shared by Svitlana and other Ukrainians indicate a worrying trend of increasing hostility towards Ukrainian refugees. Once embraced, these individuals now face derogatory remarks and bullying, particularly in school environments. The mention of specific incidents, like a child being told to "go back to Ukraine," underscores the normalization of xenophobic attitudes that were once less prevalent. This shift is framed within the broader context of a changing political landscape, suggesting that political discourse may influence public sentiment toward refugees.
Impact of Political Climate
The timing of the article coincides with Poland’s presidential election campaign, which is noted as a contributing factor to the rising tensions. Political campaigns often evoke nationalism and can exacerbate societal divisions, leading to scapegoating of minority groups, in this case, the Ukrainian refugees. This connection implies that the political rhetoric may have a direct impact on social interactions and perceptions, fostering an environment where xenophobia can thrive.
Public Response and Emotional Toll
The emotional ramifications for Ukrainian children and families are evident. Incidents of bullying and ridicule not only affect the victims but also create a pervasive climate of fear and anxiety among the Ukrainian community. The mother's reluctance to disclose her real name for fear of reprisals further illustrates the chilling effect of societal hostility. The overall sentiment conveyed by Svitlana suggests a bleak outlook for Ukrainians in Poland, driving some to consider returning home despite the ongoing conflict.
Societal Implications
The article suggests that the changing attitudes toward Ukrainians could lead to broader societal implications, including increased isolation of the Ukrainian community and potential economic repercussions if they decide to leave Poland. The fear of hostility may deter new refugees from seeking safety in Poland, thereby straining the humanitarian response that had been initially robust. The mention of government statistics about the Ukrainian population in Poland provides context to the scale of the situation.
Comparative Analysis with Other News
When compared to other reports on the refugee crisis, this article stands out by focusing on the societal backlash rather than the initial compassion shown towards refugees. This thematic shift indicates a deeper narrative about the challenges faced by displaced individuals beyond their immediate safety, prompting questions about national identity, integration, and the responsibilities of host countries.
Potential Manipulative Elements
While the article primarily presents personal narratives and factual information, it could be perceived as having a manipulative aspect by emphasizing negative experiences in a politically charged environment. The choice of language and specific examples serve to evoke empathy and concern, potentially mobilizing public opinion against the rise of xenophobia.
Overall, the reliability of the news piece hinges on its grounding in personal accounts and statistical data. However, it is essential to consider the broader sociopolitical context it operates within, which may shape the narrative presented.