Poland-Ukraine Diplomatic Tension Over UPA Unit Approval

5 UPDATES · 11 DAYS · 10 JUN 2026 — 20 JUN 2026

UPA

Latest · 20 Jun 2026

Following the stripping of the Order of the White Eagle, Zelensky returned the honor in response to Poland's President's decision.

What this timeline covers

This event covers Zelensky's decision to name a military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and includes reactions, analyses, and follow-up developments of this specific occurrence, including diplomatic responses from Poland. It excludes other actions by Zelensky, Poland, or related parties unless they are direct developments or consequences of this specific naming decision and the ensuing diplomatic row.

The full story, from the beginning

10Jun

STORY BEGINS — BBC

Zelensky under pressure to end row with Poland over WW2 name of army unit

19Jun

BBC

Poland stripped Zelensky of its highest state honor, the Order of the White Eagle, due to his decision to name a military unit after the UPA.

20Jun

Times of India

Poland's president stripped Ukrainian President Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle in response to Zelenskyy's approval of a military unit named after the UPA.

Al Jazeera

Ukrainian officials are returning Polish awards in response to President Zelenskyy's naming of a military unit after the UPA.

LATEST UPDATE — BBC

Following the stripping of the Order of the White Eagle, Zelensky returned the honor in response to Poland's President's decision.

Story concluded