Hostility towards Ukrainian refugees is growing in Poland

Hostility and attacks on Ukrainian refugees on the rise in Poland - Bloomberg

A sharp increase in hostility towards Ukrainian refugees is recorded in Poland, according to Bloomberg. Both verbal and physical attacks on Ukrainians have become more frequent in recent months.

According to the publication, the reasons for this trend are labour competition, aggravation of political contradictions and the influence of Russian propaganda, which actively spreads anti-Ukrainian narratives in the Polish media space.

Falling support levels

The level of public support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland has decreased from 94% in 2022 to 48% in 2025. Polls show that a growing number of Poles consider the presence of Ukrainians a threat to the domestic labour market and social stability.

Nevertheless, Ukrainian workers remain one of the key factors in the Polish economy - they occupy scarce jobs in construction, transport, logistics and services.

Social impacts

Ukrainians who used to feel grateful and supported are now increasingly facing indifference or aggression. Some of them are considering moving to other EU countries or returning to Ukraine.

Polish analysts warn that increased social tension may be beneficial to the Kremlin, which is trying to to quarrel Warsaw and Kyiv and weaken regional unity in support of Ukraine.