Ukrainian refugees in Poland are facing a troubling increase in discrimination and hostility, leading to significant emotional distress. Svitlana, a 31-year-old Ukrainian mother, recounted an incident where her daughter was bullied at school, being told to "go back to Ukraine." This incident reflects a broader trend of rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment, which many have observed in recent months. Many Polish citizens previously welcomed Ukrainian refugees with open arms following the invasion in February 2022. However, as the political climate shifts with an upcoming presidential election, negative attitudes appear to be gaining traction.
Svitlana reported that after an earlier instance of bullying, students mocked her daughter by shouting "Missile! Get down!"—a painful reminder of a recent tragedy in their homeland. "It's frightening to live here now," she stated, expressing concern over the changing attitudes towards Ukrainians in Poland. With approximately 2.5 million Ukrainians now in the country, their presence forms nearly 7% of Poland's total population.
Despite the initial surge of compassion from many Poles, organizations like 'Stand with Ukraine' are now witnessing a troubling rise in both online hate speech and real-life xenophobic abuse. Natalia Panchenko, the organization's leader, noted that mistrust has permeated the homes and streets where Ukrainians once felt safe. Certain political figures are leveraging this sentiment, and with the election approaching, candidates are often avoiding discussions about support for Ukrainian immigrants to garner broader appeal.
Polling indicates a shift in public sentiment: as of earlier this year, only 50% of Poles supported the reception of Ukrainian refugees, a drop from 81% in 2021. This decline in support has also been reflected in the political arena, where far-right populists have gained traction by promoting negative narratives about Ukrainians, including claims of economic burdens and cultural impacts.
Rafal Trzaskowski, the current front-runner and the most pro-Ukraine candidate, has moderated his stance to attract centrist voters amidst this sea of changing opinions, highlighting the delicate balancing act politicians face. As various factions push differing views on Ukrainian support, some candidates are engaged in actions that inflame tensions further, such as the tearing down of Ukrainian flags during rallies.
Increasingly, misinformation regarding Ukrainians is proliferating through social media platforms, sometimes echoing Russian propaganda, stoking fear and resentment among the Polish populace. Experts warn that the true impact of this disinformation may not be fully realized until after the election, potentially altering the electoral landscape and attitudes significantly towards Ukraine and its refugees in Poland.
