Polish-Ukrainian Relations Sour: Rising Hostility Toward Refugees Amid War in Ukraine

The boxing studio in Warsaw was small, sleek, and all black: black walls, black floors, and large windows overlooking the snowy city center. Inside, women of all ages—some in their twenties, others in their fifties—stood in pairs, punching the air under the guidance of their coach. These were Ukrainian refugees who had fled to Poland after Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The air smelled of fresh rubber mats and sweat.

“Let’s go, ladies, hit from the right!” called out Aleksandra Sidorenko, a European lightweight boxing champion known as Sasha. Marta Pazdej, a wiry woman in her mid-fifties with short hair, lunged forward, her partner retreating with fists raised. Some stumbled, others laughed. “Stop thinking!” Sasha shouted. “Once you start thinking, you lose!”

When Sasha coached me, I understood her point: the steadier your stance, the more grounded you feel. “It’s like in life: If you stand firmly on your feet, you can deal with anything.”

Boxing holds deep cultural significance in Ukraine, a country with a storied tradition of producing world champions. In Warsaw, the group of refugee women—organized by Ukraiński Dom, an NGO supporting Ukrainians in Poland—began training in March 2025. They spoke of boxing as a release, a source of empowerment, and a morale booster. They admired Sasha for her energy and optimism.

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Poland responded with an outpouring of support, earning praise from the former U.S. ambassador to Poland, who called the country a “humanitarian superpower.” Yet by late 2025, public sentiment had shifted dramatically. Support for accepting Ukrainian refugees dropped from 94% in early 2022 to just 48%. Social media amplified accusations: Ukrainian women were stealing Polish husbands, taking jobs, and straining the healthcare system.

The 2025 presidential election became a referendum on Ukraine. Right-wing candidate Karol Nawrocki won, and his administration swiftly moved to roll back refugee rights. In September 2025, Nawrocki announced he would not extend special residency permits for Ukrainians fleeing the war—permits that had granted simplified labor market access and automatic legal stay since 2022. Those rights expired on March 5, 2026.

Even more extreme voices accused Ukrainians of bringing “AIDS, gangsters, and prostitutes” into Poland. Between 2023 and 2025, hate crimes against Ukrainians rose by 49%. Incidents included burning Ukrainian flags and cars. “It was terrifying,” said Uliana Ilnitska, a member of the boxing group.

Meanwhile, the war grinds on. Four years after Russia’s invasion, Moscow controls roughly 20% of Ukraine’s territory. Cities remain under constant drone and missile attacks, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. Despite intermittent peace talks, no resolution is in sight.