Woman Who Attacked Ukrainians in Poznań Faces Up to Five Years in Prison

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Polish prosecutors have charged two women over an attack on Ukrainians in Poznań on the night of August 13.
• Both suspects have admitted their guilt, according to Polish media cited by NV.
• One woman faces up to five years in prison for violence, violating the victims’ bodily integrity and publicly insulting them on the basis of nationality.
• The second suspect faces up to three years in prison for allegedly striking a man who was recording the incident.
• Both women have been prohibited from approaching or contacting the victims.
• The case comes amid increased attention from Polish authorities to crimes motivated by hatred against Ukrainians.

Polish prosecutors have charged two women following an attack on Ukrainian citizens in Poznań, with both suspects admitting their guilt. One of the women could face up to five years in prison, while the second faces a possible three-year sentence for attacking a person who recorded the incident.

Two Women Charged Over Poznań Attack

The incident took place during the night of August 13 in Poznań.

According to prosecutors, two women aged 35 and 36 attacked two Ukrainian men who were working at a local food establishment. The women publicly insulted the men, spat at them and used physical force.

The incident was also recorded on video, and the footage subsequently circulated online, helping Polish police identify those involved.

One Suspect Faces Up to Five Years

The more serious charges concern one of the women, identified by prosecutors as Monika G.

She is accused of using violence against two Ukrainian men, violating their bodily integrity and publicly insulting them on the basis of their nationality.

Investigators classified the conduct as hooliganism, an offense that could result in a prison sentence of up to five years.

The incident reportedly included explicitly anti-Ukrainian insults, with the attackers telling the victims to leave for Ukraine.

Second Woman Accused of Attacking the Person Filming

The second suspect, identified as Katarzyna S., is accused of attacking a man who was recording the incident.

According to the Poznań District Prosecutor’s Office, she struck the man on the hand in an attempt to stop him from filming.

She faces a potential sentence of up to three years in prison.

The presence of video footage became particularly important in the investigation because it documented the behavior of those involved.

Both Women Admitted Their Guilt

Both suspects have admitted to the charges, according to the report.

Prosecutors have also imposed restrictions preventing the women from approaching or contacting the victims.

The case will now proceed through the Polish criminal justice system, where the court will ultimately determine the appropriate penalties.

An admission of guilt does not itself determine the final sentence.

Police Are Increasing Attention to Hate Crimes

The Poznań case comes as Polish authorities are placing greater emphasis on crimes motivated by hostility toward Ukrainians.

In July, Polish police announced strengthened measures to combat hate crimes against Ukrainians, including a new performance indicator focused on how effectively such cases are investigated and brought before courts.

The policy reflects growing concern over incidents involving Ukrainian residents and other minority groups.

180 Hate-Crime Reports This Year

According to figures cited by NV, Ukrainians in Poland had filed 180 reports of hate-motivated crimes against them since the beginning of 2026.

That figure was reported as approximately 30% higher than during the same period of the previous year.

The number of reports does not necessarily mean that every case will ultimately be classified as a hate crime or result in a conviction. However, the increase has prompted greater attention from Polish law enforcement.

The Broader Context

The attack in Poznań comes after several other incidents involving Ukrainians in Poland in recent weeks.

Polish police have detained suspects in separate cases in cities including Kraków and Gdańsk, while another attack on a Ukrainian couple was reported in Wrocław.

The incidents have contributed to public debate about rising hostility toward Ukrainians and the need for authorities to respond quickly to violence and xenophobic behavior.

Video Evidence Played an Important Role

The Poznań investigation also demonstrates the increasing importance of recordings made by witnesses and people present at incidents in public places.

Video of the confrontation circulated widely online and helped police identify the women involved.

While social-media footage cannot replace a formal investigation, recordings can provide investigators with evidence about what happened and help establish the identities of suspects.

A Test of Poland’s Response to Anti-Ukrainian Violence

The case will now be closely watched because it comes amid heightened discussion of the treatment of Ukrainians in Poland.

For the victims, the immediate issue is accountability for what happened. For Polish authorities, cases such as this are also a test of whether strengthened measures against hate-motivated crimes are producing faster and more effective prosecutions.

The charges show that the incident is being treated as a criminal matter rather than simply a street dispute.

The final outcome will depend on the Polish courts, but the case already demonstrates that violent anti-Ukrainian behavior can lead to serious criminal charges and potential prison sentences in Poland.