Poland has detained two Ukrainian teenagers accused of vandalizing monuments to victims of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), including a site in Domostawa, according to Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. The suspects, who are believed to have acted under Russian influence, are also alleged to have defaced public buildings with anti-Polish slogans. This incident has intensified political tensions between Poland and Ukraine, with Poland accusing the suspects of being part of a broader Russian-backed effort to destabilize the region.
The allegations are being investigated by Polish authorities, who are looking into whether the suspects were affiliated with any pro-Russian separatist groups. The case has raised concerns about the potential for increased tensions between Poland and Ukraine, particularly given the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and the presence of Russian forces in the region. Poland has previously expressed strong opposition to Russian involvement in Ukraine’s internal affairs, and this incident is seen as a reflection of that stance.
Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoni, in a statement, emphasized that the actions of the suspects represent a direct challenge to Polish sovereignty and the country’s position on Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The minister has called for increased cooperation with Ukrainian authorities to investigate the case and prevent further incidents of this nature. As the investigation continues, the case remains a sensitive political issue with implications for bilateral relations between the two countries.