Lauge Risom Koch 
The city of Lublin has removed the Ukrainian flag from city hall, citing objections to a Ukrainian military unit being named after the “Heroes of the UPA.”.
Officials in the Polish city of Lublin have removed the Ukrainian flag from city hall, citing objections to a recent decision by President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the naming of a Ukrainian military unit.
The move has sparked debate among residents, with some supporting the decision and others warning it could damage relations at a sensitive time.
Flag removed
According to WP, citing reporting by Interia, the Ukrainian flag was removed from the Lublin City Hall building, where it had flown alongside the flags of Poland, the European Union and the city itself.
City officials said the decision was linked to Kyiv’s naming of a Ukrainian military formation after the “Heroes of the UPA.”
“Following the example of other Polish cities, we have decided to remove the Ukrainian flag from the Lublin City Hall building,” city authorities said in a statement to Interia.
The statement added that the city shared the criticism expressed by Poland’s Foreign Ministry and the Polish Embassy in Kyiv.
Historical dispute
According to WP, which cited information obtained by Interia, city officials argued that honouring formations associated with crimes against civilians harms efforts to build honest historical dialogue between Poland and Ukraine.
The issue centres on the legacy of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which remains highly controversial in Poland because of wartime massacres of Polish civilians.
Lublin authorities said defending historical memory remains important despite continued support for Ukraine.
They stressed that the decision was not directed against the Ukrainian people.
Political pressure
The development came as PiS councillor Piotr Gawryszczak submitted an interpellation calling for the Ukrainian flag to be removed.
According to WP, citing Interia, he argued that symbolic gestures introduced after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine should be reconsidered.
“I myself helped Ukrainians, I traveled there many times with humanitarian aid. But I’m also a historian, and I can’t ignore what President Zelensky is doing,” he said.
City Hall stated that the decision had no connection to the councillor’s request.
Divided reactions
Residents expressed mixed views about the move.
Some supported the removal, arguing that praise for the UPA is unacceptable.
Others warned that the decision sends the wrong message while Ukraine continues to fight Russia’s invasion.
“I think this is a very bad moment… They’re fighting the Russians, to some extent, on our behalf,” one resident told Interia, as cited by WP.
Lublin authorities said they remain committed to supporting Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity despite the dispute.
Sources: WP, Interia
