Zelensky Names Military Unit After WWII-Era UPA, Sparking Outrage in Poland

What happened

The Kyiv Independent reports that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a decree naming an elite Special Operations Forces unit after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), effective from May 26. Zelensky stated the move aims to revive the historical traditions of Ukraine’s national army.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. The decision has provoked sharp criticism and political backlash in Poland, where the UPA is widely accused of conducting the Volyn massacres of 1943–1944. These killings targeted tens of thousands of Poles in Nazi-occupied western Ukraine, an episode Poland regards as genocide. Ukraine frames the violence as part of a broader conflict with shared responsibility.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki condemned Zelensky’s action, saying it provides Russian propaganda with 'excellent material' and announced he would seek to revoke the highest Polish honor awarded to Zelensky in 2023. The Ukrainian ambassador to Poland was summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry for a formal protest.

Known from the source

• President Zelensky signed a decree renaming a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces unit after UPA heroes, effective May 26.
• The UPA fought during and after WWII and is viewed in Ukraine as an anti-Soviet resistance group.
• In Poland, the UPA is accused of the Volyn massacres killing tens of thousands of Poles, regarded by Poland as genocide.
• Polish President Karol Nawrocki condemned the renaming and plans to seek revocation of an honor previously awarded to Zelensky.
• Ukraine’s ambassador to Poland was summoned for a formal protest by the Polish Foreign Ministry.

What remains unclear

The backlash is not confined to officials. Former Polish President Lech Walesa removed a Ukrainian flag lapel pin in protest, despite his prior vocal support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk appealed for both nations to avoid letting historical disputes damage their current relationship, cautioning that quarrels over the past could cost the future.

What remains unclear: Verify if the Ukrainian government has issued any further explanation or response regarding the renaming after Polish protests. Confirm any official statements from the Polish government clarifying next diplomatic steps or consequences. Check if there are any direct quotes or detailed statements from the Ukrainian military about the unit renaming. Verify the exact scope and status of the special operations unit affected by the renaming.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.