Lublin authorities have removed the Ukrainian flag from the City Hall building, citing disagreement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent decision to name a military unit after the UPA.
Political Pressure and Interpellation
Councilor Gawryszczak had formally requested the removal of the flag, arguing that some residents were dissatisfied with its presence. He contended that the gesture of solidarity initiated after the Russian invasion should be concluded, suggesting that city buildings should display only municipal and Polish flags.
Gawryszczak, who noted his personal history of delivering humanitarian aid to Ukraine, stated that he could not ignore the Ukrainian President’s actions. He described the decision to honor the UPA as a slap in the face to families of victims from Volhynia and Podolia.
City Hall’s Official Position
The Lublin City Hall clarified that the removal was not a direct result of the councilor’s interpellation, but a response to President Zelenskyy’s actions. The city expressed support for the critical stance taken by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish Embassy in Kyiv.
The city’s statement emphasized that glorifying formations responsible for crimes against civilians hurts the historical memory of the Polish nation. Despite this, officials maintained that Lublin remains an ally in Ukraine’s fight for territorial integrity and independence against Russian aggression.
Controversy Over the UPA
The tension stems from Zelenskyy’s decree naming the “North” Special Operations Center of the Ukrainian Armed Forces after the “Heroes of the UPA.” The Ukrainian leader stated the move was intended to restore historical traditions of the national army.
The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) was a nationalist force active between 1943 and 1945, responsible for ethnic cleansing against the Polish civilian population. Historians estimate that between several tens of thousands to over 100,000 people were murdered during these events.
The Order of the White Eagle
In reaction to the naming decision, Polish officials have discussed potential consequences, including a proposal by President Andrzej Duda to consider stripping Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, which was awarded to him on April 5, 2023.
Stripping individuals of state honors is extremely rare in Poland. In the 320-year history of the Order of the White Eagle, only one person has lost the decoration, and that occurred through a court verdict rather than an administrative procedure.
