Poland reportedly suspends major arms shipment to Ukraine over regional tribute to Ukrainian Insurgent Army, whose fighters took part in WWII massacres of Poles

Poland has temporarily halted a significant arms shipment to Ukraine following the Lviv Regional Council's decision to designate 2027 as the year of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The Lviv Regional Council made the declaration at their October 20 plenary session, along with honoring UPA commander Roman Shukhevych and political figure Oleh Olzhych.

The decision came as Poland was preparing to deliver a large military aid package to Ukraine. Polish officials, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, condemned the move, deeming it "unwise" and "unacceptable" as it deepens divisions between the two nations. Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki claimed Ukraine had assured Poland that the decision would not take effect and that it had been removed from the council's website post-Polish intervention.

The Lviv Regional Council's Facebook post announcing the UPA year is now inaccessible. The conflict over the UPA has historically strained Poland-Ukraine relations, with a recent instance in 2026 when Zelensky signed a decree granting the "Heroes of the UPA" title to the Separate Special Operations Center North. Critics in Poland are concerned due to UPA's involvement in the Volhynia massacres of 1943–1944, where an estimated 30,000 to 60,000 Poles and 20,000 to 30,000 Ukrainians perished. Following Poland's disapproval, Zelensky pledged to open the archives on the Volhynia massacres.