Bogucki Blacklisted by Myrotvorets Over “Eastern Lesser Poland” Remark

The head of the Polish President’s Office, Zbigniew Bogucki, has been added to the Myrotvorets database after referencing “Eastern Lesser Poland” while discussing historical crimes involving Stepan Bandera and the OUN-UPA.

Bogucki Targeted by Myrotvorets

Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the Chancellery of the President of Poland, has been listed by the Ukrainian Myrotvorets Center, an organization that tracks individuals accused of acting against Ukraine’s interests. The inclusion follows comments made by the politician regarding the Volhynian massacre, Stepan Bandera, and the term “Eastern Lesser Poland.”

According to Polsat News, Bogucki is accused of “participating in acts of humanitarian aggression” and manipulating information to incite tensions between Poles and Ukrainians. The entry was prompted by his statements on July 1, 2026.

Historical Dispute Over the Pantheon

The controversy emerged during a debate concerning the Ukrainian National Pantheon, a proposed memorial for individuals involved in the country’s struggle for independence. The legislation passed with 227 votes, sparking concerns in Poland regarding the potential commemoration of Stepan Bandera and members of the OUN-UPA.

Bogucki argued that while Ukraine is sovereign, the glorification of figures responsible for crimes against Poles is incompatible with European values. During his address, he referenced massacres committed in “Volhynia and Eastern Lesser Poland,” a term that became the primary catalyst for his listing.

The Significance of “Eastern Lesser Poland”

The term “Eastern Lesser Poland” was used during the Second Polish Republic to describe southeastern territories, replacing the name “Eastern Galicia.” It carried significant administrative and political weight, as the region was predominantly inhabited by ethnic Ukrainians.

Myrotvorets creators viewed the use of this historical term as a challenge to Ukraine’s territorial integrity. However, Bogucki employed the term strictly within a historical context to identify sites of World War II crimes, without asserting modern territorial claims.

Nature of the Myrotvorets Database

It is important to note that Myrotvorets is a private, non-governmental project, not an official institution of the Ukrainian government or the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It has been active since 2014, documenting people deemed a threat to Ukrainian security, including various foreign public figures.

The database has drawn significant criticism for years due to the public exposure of personal data, including that of journalists operating in conflict zones. G7 ambassadors and human rights organizations have previously expressed concern regarding the center’s activities.

Escalating Tensions Between Warsaw and Kyiv

Bogucki is not the first Polish politician to be listed; figures such as Sławomir Mentzen, Krzysztof Bosak, and Grzegorz Braun have also appeared in the database. This incident occurs during a period of deteriorating relations between Poland and Ukraine, exacerbated by conflicting historical narratives.

Recent friction points include Zelenskyy’s decision to name a military unit after the “Heroes of the UPA,” which met with strong Polish condemnation, and the reciprocal withdrawal of state honors between officials. The listing of the head of the Polish President’s Office serves as a further indicator of the strained political climate.