The Ukrainian-Polish relationship has its historical challenges, with the Volhynian Massacre being a major point of contention. Poland’s Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz mentioned on Polish television that while Poland overwhelmingly supports Ukraine in its fight against Russia, there are limits to this support. He specified that Ukraine could not expect Poland’s backing in joining the EU unless the historical issues, like the Volhynian Massacre, are resolved. This massacre, which occurred during World War II, led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Poles at the hands of Ukrainian nationalists. It remains a sensitive topic in the relationship between the two countries.
Recent events have sparked discussions in Poland regarding the country’s response to Russian drones entering Polish airspace. A survey conducted by the Polish newspaper Rzeczpospolita found that the majority of Poles believe the Polish military should shoot down Russian drones during aerial attacks on Ukraine. This sentiment was particularly strong after an unidentified airborne object, suspected to be a Shahed-type kamikaze drone, flew over Poland for over half an hour. Polish Brigadier General Tomasz Drewniak suggested that Russia may be testing Poland’s air defense system by sending drones into Polish airspace. The survey results showed that 58.5% of respondents agreed with shooting down unidentified objects, even if their origin was uncertain.
Incidents in the past, such as a Russian missile entering Polish airspace during an attack on Ukraine in March and a missile landing on Polish territory during a different strike, have heightened concerns about national security. In the latter incident, two civilians were killed when a missile flew onto Polish territory during a Russian mass strike. Investigation revealed that it was a stray Ukrainian surface-to-air missile launched to intercept a Russian attack. These occurrences have raised questions about Poland’s preparedness and response strategies in the face of escalating conflicts between Russia and Ukraine.
The survey conducted by SW Research between August 27 and 28 had 800 respondents and highlighted gender differences in opinions on shooting down unidentified objects. More women than men supported the idea, with 61% of female respondents agreeing compared to 56% of male respondents. The discussion around potential responses to Russian aggression in Ukraine reflects the broader concerns in Poland about national security and defense strategies. The incidents of drones and missiles entering Polish airspace have underscored the need for a robust defense system and clear protocols for handling such threats.
While Poland continues to show solidarity with Ukraine in its conflict against Russia, historical tensions between Poland and Ukraine, such as the Volhynian Massacre, remain unresolved. These historical issues have implications for the future of the relationship between the two countries, including the extent of support that Poland may provide to Ukraine. The current focus on national security and defense measures in response to Russian drones and missiles entering Polish airspace highlights the complexities of navigating geopolitical challenges in the region. As Poland grapples with these external threats and historical grievances, the dialogue around its role in supporting Ukraine and protecting its own borders continues to evolve.
