Most Foreign Criminals in Poland are from Ukraine, Reports Say
In 2024, nationals from the neighboring country were reportedly most often involved in drunk driving and theft. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
In 2024, Ukrainian citizens were reported to have committed the majority of offenses among foreign nationals in Poland, as stated by local outlet RMF24, referencing data from the National Police Headquarters. Drunk driving emerged as the most prevalent offense.
According to Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, approximately two million Ukrainians are currently residing in Poland, which includes many who came following the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Initially, these new arrivals received extensive support that included housing and financial assistance; however, increasing reports of Ukrainian involvement in criminal activities have led to rising public dissatisfaction.
The report highlighted that in 2024, Polish police apprehended 16,437 foreign nationals, a reduction of 857 from the previous year, with Ukrainians accounting for 9,753 of these detentions.
Driving under the influence and theft were identified as among the most frequent offenses committed by Ukrainians in Poland, alongside drug possession and violent crimes.
Georgians were noted as the second-largest group of foreign offenders, followed by Belarusians.
Siemoniak remarked during a media conference on Tuesday that foreign nationals accounted for approximately 5% of all crimes in Poland in 2024, a figure he noted was “large enough to deal in a special way.”
In recent months, Polish authorities have begun to reduce support for Ukrainians, implementing cuts to financial aid and restricting access to free social services. Last week, Siemoniak announced that Poland would no longer accept additional migrants under the EU’s migration pact, citing economic concerns and shifting public opinion.
Polish officials have attributed this decrease in support to feedback from Polish taxpayers, who express frustration over observing Ukrainians living ostentatiously. Additionally, Warsaw had previously declared that it would stop providing shelter to Ukrainians seeking to avoid mobilization back in their home country. Former Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski suggested last year that all EU nations should limit social benefits for Ukrainian men of military age to encourage their return to Ukraine to fight against Russia.
Despite Poland being the primary destination for Ukrainians fleeing their home country since 2022, many are now reportedly leaving, either returning home or seeking opportunities in other European nations, with Germany being a preferred choice.
In the meantime, Kiev continues to encourage Ukrainians to come back, stressing labor shortages and the need for national reconstruction. Additionally, Ukrainian lawmakers have called on European nations hosting Ukrainian refugees to facilitate their return. Late last year, Ukrainian lawmaker Anna Skorokhod estimated that as many as 1.2 million draft dodgers may have fled Ukraine illegally.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
According to Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, approximately two million Ukrainians are currently residing in Poland, which includes many who came following the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Initially, these new arrivals received extensive support that included housing and financial assistance; however, increasing reports of Ukrainian involvement in criminal activities have led to rising public dissatisfaction.
The report highlighted that in 2024, Polish police apprehended 16,437 foreign nationals, a reduction of 857 from the previous year, with Ukrainians accounting for 9,753 of these detentions.
Driving under the influence and theft were identified as among the most frequent offenses committed by Ukrainians in Poland, alongside drug possession and violent crimes.
Georgians were noted as the second-largest group of foreign offenders, followed by Belarusians.
Siemoniak remarked during a media conference on Tuesday that foreign nationals accounted for approximately 5% of all crimes in Poland in 2024, a figure he noted was “large enough to deal in a special way.”
In recent months, Polish authorities have begun to reduce support for Ukrainians, implementing cuts to financial aid and restricting access to free social services. Last week, Siemoniak announced that Poland would no longer accept additional migrants under the EU’s migration pact, citing economic concerns and shifting public opinion.
Polish officials have attributed this decrease in support to feedback from Polish taxpayers, who express frustration over observing Ukrainians living ostentatiously. Additionally, Warsaw had previously declared that it would stop providing shelter to Ukrainians seeking to avoid mobilization back in their home country. Former Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski suggested last year that all EU nations should limit social benefits for Ukrainian men of military age to encourage their return to Ukraine to fight against Russia.
Despite Poland being the primary destination for Ukrainians fleeing their home country since 2022, many are now reportedly leaving, either returning home or seeking opportunities in other European nations, with Germany being a preferred choice.
In the meantime, Kiev continues to encourage Ukrainians to come back, stressing labor shortages and the need for national reconstruction. Additionally, Ukrainian lawmakers have called on European nations hosting Ukrainian refugees to facilitate their return. Late last year, Ukrainian lawmaker Anna Skorokhod estimated that as many as 1.2 million draft dodgers may have fled Ukraine illegally.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
