Attackers who assaulted a Ukrainian couple in Wrocław to face charges under two articles of Poland’s criminal code

Two men detained in Wrocław for beating a Ukrainian couple face up to five years in prison.

This was reported to Ukrinform by Jakub Długacz, spokesman for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Wrocław.

“Today the two detainees will be questioned at the district prosecutor’s office in Wrocław-Psie Pole, where they will be charged, and the prosecutor will decide on further steps in this case… They face up to five years in prison,” said Jakub Długacz.

According to the spokesman, both detainees are being charged under Article 158 (battery) and Article 119 (violence motivated by national intolerance) of Poland’s Criminal Code. Each of these articles carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Długacz also said that a third person who took part in the attack on the Ukrainian couple has not yet been detained. Polish police are continuing efforts to identify him.

The incident occurred in Wrocław, where Poles beat a Ukrainian woman and her boyfriend — allegedly because of her Ukrainian accent. The woman sustained serious neck injuries and required stitches. Both victims are suspected of having concussions.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha instructed Ukraine’s General Consulate in Wrocław to urgently take the necessary response measures. The consulate sent an official inquiry to the competent authorities of the National Police of the Republic of Poland and is awaiting official information. The ministry expects a thorough, objective, and prompt investigation, determination of the motives behind the act, and prosecution of those responsible in accordance with Polish law.

The attack occurred against the backdrop of a rising number of hate crimes against Ukrainian nationals in Poland. In the first six months of 2026, police received 180 reports of possible attacks or other acts of aggression — more than 30% higher than the figure for the same period the previous year. In 2024, Ukrainians living in Poland filed 267 reports of alleged hate crimes, and in 2025 that number rose to 275.