Police Investigate Attack on Ukrainian Teenagers in Legnica

Legnica police are investigating a physical assault on two 13-year-old Ukrainian girls, with the Ministry of the Interior and Administration confirming the attack was likely motivated by the victims’ national origin.

Investigation into the Legnica Assault

The incident occurred last Saturday around 9:00 PM near a public pool on Polarna Street. According to reports, an unidentified woman struck the two 13-year-old Ukrainian citizens. The Ministry of the Interior and Administration is currently treating the case as a violation of physical integrity.

The victim’s mother reported that her daughters were playing at the pool when a woman approached them, criticizing their use of the Ukrainian language. The woman allegedly harassed the children repeatedly before striking one of the girls, another child, and a boy who attempted to intervene, explicitly stating the violence was due to their nationality.

Rising Hate Crimes Against Ukrainians

This incident follows a mid-July attack in Bielsko-Biała, where a 54-year-old man verbally and physically assaulted three Ukrainian nationals on a city bus. The assailant has been charged with insults and physical assault, facing up to three years in prison.

Official government data indicates a significant surge in hate crimes, with cases rising from 760 in 2024 to 1,200 in 2025. Academic reports and analytical centers have increasingly highlighted the growth of anti-Ukrainian sentiment within Polish society and online spaces.