Poland's Interior Ministry Warns Monastery Attack Could Fuel Anti-Ukrainian Sentiment

Poland's Interior Ministry has warned that a knife attack at a monastery in Jarosław, in southeastern Poland, should not be used to cast suspicion on Ukrainians living in the country.

The attack was carried out by a 31-year-old man, according to officials. Authorities have stated that it is necessary to establish in detail what motivated the perpetrator before drawing broader conclusions.

The ministry's statement comes amid concern that the incident could be exploited to stoke anti-Ukrainian sentiment within Poland, a country that has hosted a significant number of Ukrainian refugees and residents in recent years.

Officials have not yet disclosed the perpetrator's identity or background in detail, nor have they confirmed whether the attack was connected to Ukrainian nationality in any way. An investigation into the motives behind the attack is ongoing.

Poland's government has repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining social cohesion between Polish citizens and the Ukrainian community residing in the country since the escalation of the war in Ukraine.