Lublin PiS Councillors Seek City Stance on UPA Heroes

2 June 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Lublin PiS councillors propose a city resolution opposing Zelensky’s naming of UPA heroes. The issue may reach the June 25 council session.

The PiS councillors in Lublin have submitted a draft resolution opposing President Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to give the title “UPA heroes” to a Ukrainian special operations unit. Consequently, the letter reached the city council chairman on June 2 and councillors asked to put it on the June 25 agenda.

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Why Lublin councillors reacted to UPA heroes

The motion refers to President Zelensky’s May 27 decision. Moreover, councillors say many Poles showed strong objections. They cite historical research and investigations by Polish bodies. In addition, the project cites positions from the Institute of National Remembrance. Furthermore, it references probes by the Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation. The councillors stress that the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, OUN-UPA, bears responsibility for massacres of Polish civilians. Therefore they argue the naming risks glorifying formations implicated in wartime atrocities.

Local solidarity with Ukraine and limits

Lublin has actively helped Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began. Moreover, the city hosts refugees and coordinates material aid. Councillors note that many local NGOs, businesses, and the municipality helped Ukrainians. However, they say support for Ukraine cannot mean silence about contested historical narratives. Consequently, the draft resolution seeks to ask Ukrainian partners to avoid glorifying those involved in crimes against Poles. The document would go to partner cities, Ukrainian local authorities, and to the Ukrainian embassy and consulate in Lublin.

What the proposed resolution would do

The proposed text expresses firm opposition to the presidential decision. In addition, it petitions Ukrainian officials to pursue a truth-based history policy. It also pledges to share the statement with Ukrainian municipal partners and with organisations that received help from Lublin. Therefore the measure aims to protect historical memory while keeping practical ties intact. However, the resolution remains symbolic. The city cannot alter foreign policy or national decisions.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: City council resolutions in Poland often carry moral and diplomatic weight, yet they do not create national law. If you live here, know local institutions: PESEL is your personal ID number, ZUS manages pensions and social insurance, NFZ runs public health insurance, and a “mandat” means a fine. Therefore respect local commemorations and avoid posting inflammatory local history comments on social media.

Finally, the council chairman will decide whether to include the item on the June 25 agenda. If included, councillors will debate and then vote. Moreover, the final vote will show how the city balances historical memory with ongoing support for Ukraine. Therefore foreigners living in Lublin should watch local news for any public meetings or demonstrations. In addition, diplomatic channels may respond to any formal Polish municipal statements.

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