Ukrainian church in Poland targeted as vandals cut down cross
In Poland, vandals cut down the cross from the dome of a Ukrainian church (Photo: facebook.com/Vasyl.Bodnar.1976)
An incident occurred in Poland involving the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The damage to the church caused public outrage and an official response from Ukraine, according to a post by the Ukrainian ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar.
In the Polish city of Legnica, unknown individuals damaged the roof and cut down the cross from the dome of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, responded to the incident.
"I want to express my concern and outrage on behalf of the Ukrainian community in Poland," the diplomat wrote.
According to him, the Ukrainian embassy has sent a note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. In addition, the Consulate General of Ukraine in Wrocław has contacted the local police, demanding a prompt investigation of the incident and that those responsible be held accountable.
"I am publicly addressing the law enforcement authorities of the Republic of Poland — do everything possible to ensure that this and all similar crimes against Ukrainians and Ukrainian identity are brought to a logical conclusion — court verdicts in accordance with Polish law," Bodnar emphasized.
He also appealed to Polish society and authorities to respond to manifestations of anti-Ukrainian sentiment: "I urge Polish friends and partners to already react to anti-Ukrainian trends in Polish society. We are convinced that for the Polish people, as for the Ukrainian people, damaging churches is unacceptable under any circumstances."
Earlier in August, another incident was reported in Poland. At that time, a red-and-black OUN flag and the inscription "Glory to the Ukrainian Insurgent Army" appeared on a monument dedicated to the victims of the Volyn tragedy.
The Polish Sejm approved a new law extending the legal stay of Ukrainian citizens in the country until March 2026. The law also establishes procedures for providing financial support to Ukrainians in Poland due to the full-scale war initiated by Russia.
Poland plans to develop technologies together with Ukraine to counter hostile drones, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The head of the Polish government said that the issue of drone defense was also discussed during his negotiations with European allies within NATO.
