Poland’s Defense Minister, Mariusz Błaszczak, has expressed strong opposition to a recent decision by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to name a unit of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). During a press conference on June 3, Błaszczak conveyed his concerns to his Ukrainian counterpart, Mykhailo Fedorov, stating that he would work to reverse this decision.
Błaszczak disagreed with the explanation provided by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who suggested that the soldiers of the Special Operations Forces chose the name themselves without intending to offend Poland. The Polish minister emphasized that the glorification of the UPA is perceived as an act of hostility, especially given Poland’s ongoing support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
“Poland fulfills its obligations and maintains friendly relations. However, the glorification of the UPA, particularly by naming military units after it, is an act of animosity that hurts the hearts of Poles while we are assisting the Ukrainian army,” Błaszczak stated.
The Polish minister called for a clear declaration from the Ukrainian side regarding this issue. He remarked, “If we want a good future, and we do, we must build relationships based on a fair reckoning with the past and respect for each other’s sensitivities.”
On May 26, President Zelensky issued a decree to honor the Separate Center for Special Operations “North” of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces with the title “in the name of the Heroes of the UPA.” The decree aimed to restore the historical traditions of the national military.
This decision has sparked outrage among some Polish historians and politicians, who have condemned the move, citing the UPA’s historical involvement in violence against Poles during the Volhynia massacres. The Polish Institute of National Remembrance has stated that the UPA is responsible for genocide in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, arguing that the creation of a cult around the UPA by the Ukrainian government should be resisted by all who remember its actions.
Former Polish President Lech Wałęsa, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has supported Ukraine and Zelensky, also criticized the decision. He announced that he would remove the badge in the colors of the Ukrainian flag that he has worn since the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion, stating that honoring the UPA has offended him and the memory of those killed.
In response to the controversy, Polish leader Karol Nawrocki suggested revoking Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest honor, which was awarded to him in 2023 by then-President Andrzej Duda.
Poland's Defense Minister has voiced strong opposition to Ukraine's decision to name a Special Operations unit after the UPA, citing historical grievances. This controversy has led to calls for a reversal of the decision and has sparked significant backlash among Polish leaders and historians.