Poland Revokes Honor from Zelensky Over UPA Controversy

Poland Withdraws Zelensky’s Highest Honor

Poland will strip Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle. This move follows his decision to commemorate a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The UPA was a nationalist force linked to the massacre of tens of thousands of Poles during World War II.

“In light of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s consent to name one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine ‘Heroes of the UPA,’… I have decided to revoke the Order of the White Eagle from the President of Ukraine,” stated Polish President Karol Nawrocki.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha criticized the decision, calling it a “strategic mistake” that benefits Moscow. This dispute risks diplomatic tensions between Poland and Ukraine, which have cooperated since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

Historical Background: The UPA’s Legacy

The UPA is revered by some Ukrainians for resisting Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. However, their involvement in the Volhynia massacre from 1943 to 1945, where about 100,000 Polish civilians were killed, casts a shadow.

Poland’s outrage over Kyiv naming a special forces unit after the UPA is shared across its political spectrum. A SW Research survey in Poland indicated 51.9% of respondents viewed Ukraine and Zelensky negatively after his decision.

Russia’s Propaganda on Ukraine

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion, President Vladimir Putin has attempted to brand Zelensky and Ukraine as Nazis. In his February 24 address, the day of the invasion, Putin claimed the invasion aimed to “denazify Ukraine.”

Research from RAND highlights that Russia has propagated extremist narratives, including the “Nazi Ukraine trope,” mainly in Russian-language online spaces. Despite Ukraine’s history of antisemitism and minor far-right groups, these elements are politically marginal.

The public dispute over the UPA naming could reinforce Moscow’s narrative during a time when Ukraine needs steadfast Western support.