Russia spreads fake news about tattoo checks at Polish-Ukrainian border

Russian media outlets, Telegram channels, Facebook, and X accounts are sharing a photo of a supposed announcement allegedly posted at a checkpoint on the Polish-Ukrainian border. According to the claim, Ukrainian citizens are required to strip down to their underwear to be checked for tattoos featuring OUN-UPA symbols. If such tattoos are found, the person is allegedly denied entry into Poland.

This is fake news. The announcement text contains glaring grammatical mistakes. For example, instead of the correct Ukrainian word for “роздягнутись” (“undress”), the text incorrectly uses “розігнутись” (“straighten up”).

The fake was also shared on social media by pro-Russian Polish activist Piotr Panasiuk. He heads the organization Polski RUCH Antywojenny (Polish Anti-War Movement), which serves as a mouthpiece for Russian propaganda and organizes anti-Ukrainian rallies in Poland.

Since December 2023, Panasiuk has been listed in the Myrotvorets database as an agent of Russian special services. In February 2024, he participated in blocking the Polish-Ukrainian border, despite having no connection to agriculture, while presenting himself as a blogger, historian, or sometimes a publicist.

Such false narratives are aimed at fueling division between Polish and Ukrainian societies, especially following recent remarks by Polish President Karol Nawrocki about a possible shutdown of Starlink services for Ukrainians.

Earlier, Ukrinform also debunked another fake alleging that Ukrainian schoolchildren in Poland were banned from speaking their native language.

Andriy Olenin