Ukrainians beaten in Polish Kożuchów after “Go back to Ukraine” remark

The General Consulate of Ukraine in Wrocław is monitoring the situation following an attack on three Ukrainian nationals in the city of Kożuchów in Lubusz Voivodeship.

This was reported by Yevropeyska Pravda, citing a statement by the consulate general on Facebook and the outlet inPoland.net.pl.

The incident occurred on August 1 at around 21:25 on the grounds of a hostel where the Ukrainians were staying. According to the victims, that evening they were relaxing near a parked car from which various music was playing — Ukrainian, Polish, and foreign. A man passing by took notice of the music, after which a verbal altercation broke out between him and one of the victims.

The conflict escalated into a fight after one of the attackers shouted “Go back to Ukraine!”, returned with a group of men, and a beating began. On August 2, the victims gave statements to police: law enforcement officers photographed the injuries and compiled case materials. The victims also informed investigators about a private surveillance camera on a neighboring building which, they said, may have captured the moment of the attack.

Polish police have not officially reported on the circumstances of the incident, its possible motives, or any information about the detention of those involved. The General Consulate, for its part, has made contact with the victims and the relevant authorities.

“The General Consulate of Ukraine strongly condemns any manifestations of hatred, violence, and aggression. The General Consulate is in contact with the victims as well as with the competent authorities and is prepared, within the limits of its mandate, to provide the necessary consular assistance to the affected Ukrainian nationals.”

The diplomatic mission called on Ukrainian nationals in Poland to remain calm, not to yield to possible provocations, and in the event of any unlawful actions to immediately contact the police and the general consulate.

The attack in Kożuchów occurred against the backdrop of other similar incidents. On August 1, criminal investigators from the City Police Headquarters in Gdynia detained a 76-year-old Polish national who had struck a 40-year-old Ukrainian woman twice on the head with a wooden walking stick before fleeing. Earlier in Wrocław, a group of Polish men attacked a young Ukrainian couple, allegedly upon hearing their accent; the attackers were remanded in custody for three months.

Against this backdrop, Poland’s Interior Ministry emphasized that such actions would be met with an appropriate response from law enforcement. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on President Nawrocki to “break his silence.”