Results of monitoring of media coverage regarding the theft of the “Free Ukraine” Square sign in Gdynia (March 18-31, 2026)

However, the conflict did not end there, and by March 2026, the situation had taken an even more drastic turn. Unknown vandals once again stole not only the plaque but the entire metal post bearing the inscription. The Ukrainian Consul in Gdańsk, Oleh Vysochan, emphasized that this was already the fourth such incident in the past two years, and the consulate views such actions not as mere hooliganism, but as a deliberate provocation aimed at undermining Polish-Ukrainian friendship. Despite the constant attacks, the Gdynia authorities restore the commemorative plaque at their own expense each time, demonstrating the steadfastness of their position, while the police continue to search for the perpetrators in public spaces.

This time, the case has not even been reported at the local level in the Polish media; information about the incident and the search for the perpetrators is circulating mainly on social media platforms (1).

In Ukraine, this news has received widespread attention, as the local public is highly concerned about the safety of their fellow citizens. Most Ukrainian media outlets covering this incident cite the state news agency "Ukrinform" and official statements of the Ukrainian Consulate in Gdańsk. “Ukrinform” labeled their article on this as “Exclusive.” Some media outlets (such as the local online media network “Raion.in.ua” or the left-liberal media outlet “Hromadske”) cite the Instagram page of a Ukrainian group typicalgdansk_ua_. An exception is the local Lviv media outlet Daily Lviv, which cites InPoland.

The vocabulary used by Ukrainian journalists in news reports about the theft of the plaque is dominated by references to “vandalism” and “hooliganism.” In most cases, the perpetrators are described as “unknown,” but in the broader context, their actions are portrayed as deliberate anti-Ukrainian acts. An interesting exception is the local Lviv media outlet Varta1, which avoids the word “vandals” in its coverage, using only the term “unknown.” Nearly all of the Ukrainian media outlets analyzed mention the broader context and the systematic nature of the incidents (noting that this is already the fourth case of damage or vandalism to the plaque in Gdynia).

The “European Truth” website includes information at the end of the article about other acts of vandalism in Poland (e.g., at the Home Army monument in Szczecin or the desecration of the monument to the victims of the Volhynia tragedy), which may lead the reader to compare the theft of the plaque with acts of desecration of historical monuments. It is worth noting, however, that both examples cited concern Polish monuments on which vandals painted Ukrainian symbols, a fact not mentioned in the text. Presenting this news in such a context thus equates these events in readers’ minds, reinforcing the message “Poland = threat.” In this way, the media outlet unconsciously mirrors a similar Russian propaganda narrative about the “threat posed to Ukrainians in Poland,” contributing to further tension and fostering a sense of mutual distrust.

At the same time, Ukrainian media highlight the constructive role of Polish authorities (the replacement of the plaques at the city’s expense following previous instances of vandalism) and the professional conduct of the police, which helps avoid accusations directed at Polish society as a whole. The Polish side’s reaction is presented solely through the words of gratitude from the Ukrainian consul in Gdańsk, Oleh Vysochan, addressed to the Polish people, rather than through direct quotes or comments.

As for responsibility, media coverage does not focus on “finding the guilty parties,” and the incident itself is presented not as an isolated event but as a “provocation”; despite the efforts of the provocateurs, this incident should not affect the broader context of Ukrainian-Polish relations.