Polish radicals sponsored by the Kremlin, who recently started blocking the checkpoints between Ukraine and Poland for all vehicles entering the EU from Ukraine, have dumped grain from three Ukrainian trucks. Police in the region where it happened have launched an investigation.
What happened?
According to the publication RMF24, on February 11, at about 11:30 a.m., an incident occurred near the Yagodyn-Dorogusk checkpoint, one of the places of protest of Polish radical farmers.
“Three trucks driven by Ukrainian citizens entered Poland after customs procedures. The protesters did not allow them to continue and at some point opened the semi-trailers, causing some of the grain to spill onto the road. The drivers then drove back to Ukraine,” said Ewa Czyż, a spokeswoman for the Chełm police.
She added that there was no violent confrontation during these events. The Poles simply approached the trucks and opened the flaps. The Polish police did not prevent them from doing so.
“We are conducting an investigation, identifying the people involved and interviewing witnesses,” added Eva Chyzh, noting that the data collected will be passed on to the prosecutor’s office for legal assessment.
How do Ukrainians react?
Ukrainians are reacting to this provocation very negatively. In the east of the country, Moscow’s occupiers are killing everyone and destroying towns and villages. And in the west of the country, the closest neighbors are creating problems for Ukrainian businesses for Moscow’s money.
It’s very difficult for Ukrainians to harvest this grain, under fire and under Russian bombardment. Harvesting often borders on the risk of death, as Russians target agricultural machinery to prevent Ukraine from harvesting grain. Russians are also blocking the Black Sea, through which grain was exported before the war. Currently, the only way to export agricultural products is through the border with Western countries. Of course, the Russians know about this and bribe Polish radicals. Unfortunately, the Polish government and the EU are not responding.
In particular, the mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovyi, commented on the Polish provocation on his Twitter account:
Назвемо речі своїми іменами.
На цьому фото — українське зерно, яке висипали польські, а насправді проросійські провокатори, з українських вантажівок.
Псевдоблокада на кордоні триває. pic.twitter.com/1v0xtpZ2mP
— Андрій Садовий (@AndriySadovyi) February 12, 2024
“Let’s call a spade a spade. This photo shows Ukrainian grain poured out of Ukrainian trucks by Polish, but in fact pro-Russian provocateurs. The pseudo-blockade on the border continues,” – Andriy Sadovyi wrote.
“Ukrainians are literally pouring blood on the fields that produce this grain. Harvesting wheat on a field that has seen war is like working as a sapper. Such actions are a lowliness and a shame,” Sadovyi continued in comments under the post.
Also, a well-known Ukrainian volunteer Serhiy Sternenko also reacted to this situation:
Це пряма допомога російській армії. Блокування кордону має реальні негативні наслідки для української обороноздатності. Але ось такі дії – відкрита і вже не перша провокація, спрямована на розпалювання ворожнечі.
Не розумію, чому Польща дозволяє відкрито діяти проросійським… pic.twitter.com/pWajKA2LzR— Serhii Sternenko ✙ (@sternenko) February 11, 2024
“This is direct assistance to the Russian army. Blocking the border has real negative consequences for Ukraine’s defense capabilities. But such actions are an open and not the first provocation aimed at inciting hatred. I do not understand why Poland allows pro-Russian forces to act openly,” – Sternenko wrote.
Ukrainians also remind Poles of the cost of harvesting this grain. Many Ukrainian farmers lose not only their land and crops, but also their lives and health. In particular, a Twitter user wrote that her uncle was hit by a mine in the field while harvesting grain with a combine harvester, and added a photo to confirm this:
Варто нагадати,що 30 липня 22 року мій дядько підірвався в полі на комбайні збираючи зерно,щоб зараз польські проросійські пси нівечили українське зерно
Вельмишановний уряд Польщі,поліція Польщі,дякую!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/UsE7SxhrwA— пирiжок з нічим🇺🇦 (@lemorran_) February 11, 2024
She wrote: “It is worth recalling that on July 30, 22, my uncle exploded in the field on a combine harvester while harvesting grain, so that now Polish pro-Russian dogs are destroying Ukrainian grain.
Dear Polish government, Polish police, thank you!!!!!!!”
The Ukrainian and Polish authorities have not yet commented on the incident.
