European Parliament condemns Zelenskyy for naming military unit after UPA heroes

European Parliament discussions include a proposed amendment to a resolution on Ukraine that would criticize Zelenskyy’s decision to name an elite unit of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces after the UPA.

The move is being framed by supporters of the amendment as an “unprovoked” escalation in Ukraine–Poland relations, arguing that Zelenskyy disregarded Polish sensitivities and grief connected to the UPA’s WWII-era legacy. The amendment—pushed by lawmakers from the European People’s Party—links the naming decision to a deterioration in good-neighborly relations and calls for de-escalation and renewed reconciliation efforts.

The controversy stems from a late-May decree assigning the honorary “Heroes of the UPA” designation to a Ukrainian special operations centre. Poland has condemned the naming, saying the UPA is associated with atrocities against ethnic Poles during the Volhynia massacres, while Ukraine argues the UPA name is intended to symbolize opposition to Moscow rather than an attack on Poland.

The European Parliament vote is expected to take place during a plenary session, and support from major political groupings in the chamber could increase the chances the amendment is adopted.