In Ukraine, the narrator repeatedly encounters moments where strangers instantly become teammates. A Polish acquaintance from Gdańsk, Michał, appears at a dinner in Dnipro. Within minutes, two strangers decide to head to Lyman in Donbass, a town then under Russian control. Two days later, the narrator stands with Michał as the volunteer halts the company’s routine to load a car and travel with humanitarian aid toward the front. In the forest near Lyman, a soldier suddenly emerges from the brush and shouts to surrender in Russian. The Ukrainian soldier is quickly identified, laughter follows, supplies are shared, and the group safely returns from the Doniec river village with a renewed sense of purpose.
Michael and others
How long does it take for strangers to settle a conflict? In Ukraine, Poles adapt swiftly, with imagination and a readiness to improvise. They avoid signaling uniform identities, instead showing dedication and a flexible approach to the mission. Monika, who holds strong left views, once sends sharp notes about political opponents and, on another occasion, lends a steady hand to refugees staying in Krakow while the narrator is in Donbass. Three volunteers from the Świętokrzyskie region in Żytomierz recount new discoveries around Makaryw, prompting a late arrival with cameramen to discuss the local reality of Russian occupation with the city’s mayor.
Darius in tracks
The Polish character in these reports is clear. Dariusz Wołosziuk communicates details about remarkable Ukrainian history after returning from eastern Ukraine on volunteer missions. He covers a thousand kilometers across the country, sometimes from the passenger seat of a speeding vehicle, and notes that a Polish flag is a powerful symbol even when not visible above a grave. He notices the red and white banner in Usicze, Volhynia, and does not need to chase contacts to learn the story; the flag itself becomes a focal point in his pursuit. He discovers the tale of a twenty six year old Ukrainian volunteer whose final wish is to rest beneath both Ukrainian and Polish flags, with the inscription All is well.
Another story emerges of a Ukrainian from Volhynia who longs for burial beneath the Polish flag. The reporter follows the thread, guiding readers toward a wider narrative about reconciliation between Polish and Ukrainian communities. Dariusz explains a process of building awareness by linking a single human story to broader media coverage, turning a poignant moment into a symbol for shared history. A Polish volunteer known as Batman also joins the Ukrainian army, beginning with humanitarian work and eventually becoming a comrade on the frontline in the struggle against the occupier.
What is coming into view?
Polish identity shines through wartime in Ukraine as reporters gather humanitarian aid, volunteers uncover subjects worthy of coverage, and some venture farther than planned while maintaining their commitments to family at home. The Polish presence in the trenches becomes a source of pride, with people expressing both admiration and a touch of envy for the courage and resilience shown by their Ukrainian partners. The image of a Polish unit fighting alongside Ukrainian forces grows into a shared symbol of defiance against aggression.
The Russian invasion is recognized as a grave crime, marked by deportations, killings, sexual violence, mass graves, and underground detention sites. It is a heavy burden for Poland as well. Yet this test of history is met with the mercy, humanitarian spirit, and voluntary courage that characterize Polish response. Many voices are gathered, collecting testimonials to tell the broad, human story.
Readers are invited to explore the account found by Darius, a narrative that traces the arc from small acts of help to a deeper engagement with the realities of war and occupation. The tale emphasizes the power of individual courage to illuminate larger truths and to foster a cross-border sense of solidarity.
The portrayal of events reflects how ordinary people adapt under pressure, how volunteers become storytellers, and how a shared resolve can shape public perception and humanitarian aid alike. The readers are encouraged to see these experiences not just as isolated anecdotes, but as parts of a larger continuum of human resilience amid conflict. The piece underscores the ongoing effort to document personal stories that reveal the human dimensions of war, and to present them with honesty and respect for those who lived them. The narrative closes with an invitation to consider how such testimonies contribute to a broader understanding of Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation, and to recognize the individuals who carry these stories forward. (attribution: wPolityce)