In the Polish capital, unknown individuals damaged two historic monuments by daubing the words «Slava UPA» on them in red paint. The incident was the latest in a series of similar acts of vandalism in Polish cities. The Ukrainian Embassy condemned the desecration of the monuments and stated that Russia may be behind such provocations.
- In Warsaw, unknown individuals defaced two historic monuments with red paint.
- Similar incidents of vandalism have previously been reported in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Poznań.
- The Polish police have detained a 17-year-old Ukrainian in connection with previous incidents.
- The Ukrainian Embassy attributes these provocations to Russia’s attempts to stir up inter-ethnic hostility.
A spate of acts of vandalism is ongoing in Poland
How to. reports Polish Radio, 14 November: Law enforcement officers received a report that two monuments in the Muranów district of Warsaw had been damaged.
These are the monument to a soldier of the First Army of the Polish Army and the monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto, located near the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
These new incidents are taking place against a backdrop of warnings about possible Russian provocations aimed at exacerbating the situation Ukrainian-Polish relations.
Over the past week, a further 11 historic monuments in various towns and cities across Poland have been damaged in a similar manner.
A 17-year-old Ukrainian man has been arrested in Gdańsk
On 11 November, Polish law enforcement officers arrested a 17-year-old Ukrainian national suspected of damaging four monuments in Gdańsk and three in Gdynia.
The young man faces seven charges relating to the desecration of monuments and the public promotion of a totalitarian regime. He has been placed under police supervision and is prohibited from leaving Poland.
The detainee’s involvement in the recent incidents of vandalism in Warsaw has not yet been established.
The Ukrainian Embassy has suggested there may be a Russian link
Ukrainian diplomats have strongly condemned the damage to Polish monuments. In their view, such actions may form part of a Russian hybrid operation aimed at fuelling hostility between Ukrainians and Poles and undermining support for Ukraine.
Polish journalists also discovered that unknown individuals were offering $500 on Telegram to anyone who would scrawl provocative slogans on monuments.
The embassy has urged Ukrainians in Poland not to accept dubious offers of quick money, and to contact the police if they are approached with recruitment attempts.
