Poland’s police are preparing for the possible arrival of Ukrainian criminal groups once the armed conflict in Ukraine comes to an end. This assessment was outlined by Poland’s Chief Police Commander, Marek Boroń, who warned that the postwar period could bring serious security challenges.

Drawing a parallel with the aftermath of the Balkan wars, Boroń indicated that the end of hostilities rarely means an immediate return to stability. Based on that historical experience, he said Poland could face a scenario similar to the 1990s, when Eastern European criminal networks expanded their activities across borders following major conflicts.

According to the head of the police, Polish law enforcement is already factoring in these risks. He stressed that close, ongoing cooperation is maintained with police services across Europe, including through Europol. Within this framework, authorities exchange operational information and monitor trends in organized crime to anticipate potential threats rather than react to them after the fact.

At the same time, Boroń emphasized that Poland is far better prepared today than it was decades ago. He noted that law enforcement agencies are more experienced, better equipped, and operate within a fundamentally different system. For that reason, he considers a repeat of the large-scale criminal surge seen in the past to be unlikely, even if new groups attempt to establish themselves.

Polish police data also point to a worrying current trend: Ukrainian citizens now account for more crimes committed in Poland than nationals of all other foreign countries combined. This reality, according to law enforcement officials, reinforces the need for heightened vigilance as the war in Ukraine eventually moves toward its conclusion.