Poland’s Anti-Ukrainian Rhetoric Threatens Refugee Support

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland welcomed an influx of refugees, with over 3.5 million Ukrainians fleeing to the country in the first weeks of the war. However, as tensions between the two nations escalate, anti-Ukrainian sentiment is growing, threatening the very existence of organizations like Martynka, a women’s shelter in Krakow.

Nastya Podorozhnya, the founder of Martynka, has seen firsthand the devastating impact of this rhetoric. With over 100 women and children having passed through the shelter, Podorozhnya has witnessed the effects of human trafficking, abuse, and poverty that many of these women face.

‘It often starts with me having tea in this very kitchen with the women and they tell me what happened to them and I say ‘girl, same,’ Podorozhnya said, referring to her own experience of being a victim of rape in 2016.

Despite the challenges, Martynka continues to provide vital support to Ukrainian women, including access to medical care, psychological support, jobs, and housing. However, the organization is struggling to stay afloat, with international donors moving on to other global crises and the Polish government cutting back on support for Ukrainian refugees.

According to data from the Polish police, 180 Ukrainian citizens were victims of prejudice-motivated crimes by mid-July, a significant increase compared with 275 for the whole of 2025 and 267 in 2024. The Polish government has defended its decision to cut back aid to Ukrainian refugees, citing that many have stabilized their situation.

However, experts argue that this decision disproportionately affects the most vulnerable groups, including single mothers with several children, older people, and those with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Yuliia Repenko from the Ukrainian House said that her organization, which provides help to Ukrainians, is increasingly supporting people who are particularly vulnerable to exclusion.

As the Polish government continues to scale back its support, international aid has also declined, further limiting options for organizations like Martynka. With the war in Ukraine still ongoing, the need for support continues to grow, and organizations like Martynka are fighting to stay afloat in the face of rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment.

According to Sonia Novytska, a Martynka helpline worker, the organization received about 1,800 requests for help last year, and staff expect that number to increase. ‘What Poles need to understand is that we are helping the people that could otherwise become homeless in their neighborhoods, the people who might start abusing substances out of despair they can’t make ends meet,’ Podorozhnya said.

As tensions between Poland and Ukraine continue to escalate, it remains to be seen whether organizations like Martynka will be able to survive in the face of rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment.

Key Statistics and Figures:

• Over 3.5 million Ukrainians fled to Poland in the first weeks of the war.
• More than 70% of Ukrainian refugees found employment in Poland, with a Deloitte study estimating that they contributed 2.7% of Poland’s gross domestic product in 2024.
• The number of Ukrainian refugees in Poland had stabilized at around 1 million by the end of 2022.
• 180 Ukrainian citizens were victims of prejudice-motivated crimes by mid-July, a significant increase compared with 275 for the whole of 2025 and 267 in 2024.