Ukrainian couple brutally beaten in Wrocław attack; Kyiv demands swift police response
Police are searching for three men who, angered by a Ukrainian accent, assaulted a young couple at a bus stop on Sunday, leaving both with head injuries. The Ukrainian consulate called the incident part of a worrying trend.
The attack
On Sunday, 26 July 2026, around 18:30, a young Ukrainian couple was attacked by three men outside a shop on Okulickiego Street in Wrocław’s Zakrzów estate. The victims, Nastia, 20, and Maksym, 21, were in a store when the men cut in line. After the couple objected, the assailants, further angered by their Ukrainian accent, followed them outside and assaulted them. A mobile phone video shows the trio surrounding the couple, punching the man repeatedly, then kicking him on the ground after he fell. Nastia was hit in the face several times while trying to protect her partner. The attackers then fled.
- Three men attack a Ukrainian couple on Okulickiego Street in Wrocław.
- Video of the beating surfaces on social media; shared over 1,000 times.
- Victims file a police report; police confirm national hatred motive.
- Ukrainian consulate demands swift, objective investigation.
- Mayor Sutryk condemns the attack and calls for solidarity.
The video was shared more than a thousand times on social media. The woman sustained a torn ear requiring stitches and suspected concussion; the man had facial and head injuries and a suspected concussion. Her brother later said she was struck in the face, hit with a stun gun, and was covered in blood when he arrived.
Police investigation
Wrocław police opened an investigation immediately. Podinspektor Aleksandra Freus, the municipal police spokesperson, said the incident is classified as a battery motivated by national hatred under Article 158 of the Penal Code, carrying a penalty of up to five years in prison.
Everything indicates that this incident was linked to hatred on national grounds.
By Monday, the victims had been formally questioned and officers were working to identify and arrest the three suspects. No arrests had been made as of Monday afternoon.
Ukrainian diplomatic pressure
The Ukrainian Consulate in Wrocław issued a statement on Monday noting an increase in violent attacks against Ukrainian nationals in Poland.
We are compelled to note that cases of violence and aggression against citizens of Ukraine have been occurring more often in Poland recently. Every such case requires a thorough investigation and proper legal assessment. If the circumstances presented are confirmed, we expect a comprehensive, objective, and swift investigation, determination of the motives of the crime, and holding the perpetrators accountable in accordance with the law of the Republic of Poland.
The consulate called any form of violence or xenophobia unacceptable in a democratic society.
City and community response
Wrocław Mayor Jacek Sutryk issued a public appeal, describing the attack as an assault on the entire community.
In our city there is not and there will be no tolerance for violence motivated by hatred, xenophobia, or national prejudice.
He urged residents not to remain indifferent to violence, hate speech, or discrimination.
Family’s call
The mother of Nastia posted the video and images of the injuries on social media, pleading for help.
I beg everyone to share this post. I ask Poles in particular to help bring attention to this matter. Let’s not allow such a tragedy to be silenced.
She confirmed both victims were suspected to have suffered concussions. The family hopes the public attention will put pressure on authorities to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators. The attack comes amid rising concern over anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland, with the consulate describing a recent surge in similar incidents.
