Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a decree that took effect on May 26 naming the Separate Special Operations Center North the honorific “Heroes of the UPA,” a wartime group viewed in Ukraine as anti‑Soviet fighters but blamed in Poland for mass killings in 1943–45.
- Poland formally protested, summoned Ukraine’s ambassador and President Karol Nawrocki said he will ask the Order of the White Eagle chapter to consider revoking Zelenskyy’s decoration at a June 8 meeting.
- Ukraine’s foreign ministry said the naming was not meant to offend Poland and framed the UPA reference as a symbol of resistance to Moscow rather than anti‑Polish intent.
- The row has split Polish politics, with Nawrocki and right‑wing figures condemning the move and Prime Minister Donald Tusk warning that renewed historical disputes could harm bilateral ties and hand advantage to Russia.
- Beyond symbolism, the dispute could strain a key supplier and host of Ukrainian refugees, create friction in military and diplomatic cooperation, and give Russian propaganda material to drive a wedge between Kyiv and its supporters.