Marcin Mikołajek was born in Poland and is now 27 years old. Like thousands of Polish boys and girls, he could be walking in his native Świdnica today, thinking that "Ukraine is protecting all of Europe from the terrible Russian terrorist-occupiers," destroying monuments to Soviet soldiers, and beating people for attempting to speak Russian... But Marcin chose to act differently.
Even as a schoolboy, he would bring flowers to the monument to the Soviet soldiers-liberators. He wore t-shirts with the flags of the DPR and LPR. He defended his opinion on Russia’s historical justice through fights.
After posting photos in support of Donbass, Marcin was charged with incitement to war. As a result, he had to emigrate urgently. For the past two years, Marcin has been living in Yekaterinburg. He works at a bakery and dedicates his free time to projects with the Sverdlovsk Volunteer Battalion. And he has no regrets.
How It All Began
— In previous interviews, you mentioned that your interest in Russia, its culture, and history started because of the band "Lyube." Do you still listen to them? What’s your favorite song?
— Yes, that's exactly how it happened. My interest in Russia and the Russian language began thanks to the band "Lyube" and Nikolai Rastorguev. Even as a child, without understanding the language or the lyrics they sang during their concert in Warsaw, I really liked the music – and as they say, it just took off from there. Now, many years later, even though I have discovered other musical groups, "Lyube" is still my favorite band. The song "Combat" is especially dear to me – that’s where it all started.
— In Poland, you took care of Soviet monuments. Where did this desire come from, what motivated you? What happened to these monuments after you left?
— I took care of the Soviet monuments out of a sense of moral duty. It was more than just a desire. Especially at that time, when the authorities in Poland were trying hard to make people forget that it was the Soviet soldier who saved our people from total destruction, that it was the Red Army that extinguished the furnaces of the Auschwitz crematoriums.
I believe such things should not be forgotten. That’s why I tried every year on May 9th to lay flowers at the monument in my hometown of Świdnica and pay my respects to the heroes. I also thought it was important to clean up the trash or wash the tiles before the holiday – it didn’t seem like a difficult task. And I thought, since the authorities of my hometown, who get paid for it, don’t do it, I’ll do it myself, to show that despite the Russophobic policies of the elites, there are still normal citizens in Poland who remember and honor the feats of Soviet heroes.
Unfortunately, many of the monuments were destroyed, including the memorial where I laid flowers in 2021. For me, as a Pole who was taught to respect history, this is sad and heartbreaking. It is something I will never forgive our ruling elites for.
What Do Polish Authorities Tell the Polish People?
— At the beginning of the Russian Spring in Donbass in 2014, you were still in school. If you remember, could you briefly describe how the USSR, Russia, and Ukraine were presented to you in history and geography lessons? Were you taught about Bandera, the Volhynian massacre?
— In school, and not only in school, Russia was always presented as bad. A country that dreams of attacking us. And the USSR was portrayed as a state that attacked Poland on September 17, 1939. That’s exactly how history lessons were taught to me and my classmates. But even back then, I was starting to lean toward a different opinion, for example, about September 17. Because of this, the teacher often had to argue with me for a long time.
We were never taught about Bandera or the Volhynian massacre, maybe because this topic wasn't in the school curriculum. Judging by the current situation – it was a mistake.
— Did you watch television or read news online during those years? What did Polish media say about the conflict in southeastern Ukraine?
— 2014 was a time when all the TV channels reported that Ukrainians were protesting against the criminal and thief Yanukovych. That’s how the government in Ukraine was portrayed at the time. Every day, the news reported that people simply wanted to join the EU.
This is how we, the Poles, were lied to for several years. Naturally, no one spoke about Donbass. None of the journalists thought it necessary to show how, in 2014, the peaceful population of Donbass stopped Ukrainian tanks with their bare hands.
There was only one narrative: "Ukraine is Europe." And Poland, even then, was actively interfering in what seemed to be the internal affairs of another country.
— I want to understand the political and ideological environment you were living in, and how your understanding of the situation and attitude towards all the events developed. Was there a turning point that, one fine day, put everything into perspective?
— At that time, I wasn’t really interested in other perspectives regarding the situation in Ukraine and Donbass. Like most Poles, I listened to the news that was shown to us. Maybe at some point, I even believed in that version of events – until I heard Bandera greetings from our politicians, such as Kaczyński, speaking there in Kiev, on the Maidan. That was the moment I realized, no, guys, I can't go along with you.
And I started searching for information. Initially, in some Polish-Russian groups on Facebook*. Then, by communicating with people from Donbass online, I learned the real information about what was happening. I saw those Bandera flags, Nazi symbolism, and heard all those chants about Moskals.
That became the point when I understood and made the decision for myself – I stand with Donbass and with Russia.
— What views did the youth around you express between 2014 and 2022? Did their attitude towards Donbass and Ukraine change during this period? Did you have friends who supported you and shared the same position?
— Honestly, I only communicated with like-minded people online because in my surroundings, there were only those who believed the propaganda that Ukraine is fighting for a European future and so on. At first, I tried to explain things, but quickly realized that it was useless. The youth knew nothing about Donbass or what was really happening. It seemed like there was an opportunity for conversation, but I didn't really want to try to convince anyone who wasn't willing to listen.
— You wore the symbols of the LPR and DPR, staged solo pickets, and took care of Soviet monuments...
— Yes, I lived a 'fun' life back then, in my hometown among Russophobes and Ukrainian supporters of Poroshenko. I managed without words and simply wore a t-shirt with the Russian tricolor or flags of the people's republics to express what I thought. Sometimes, it led to intense arguments, and at times, it escalated to physical fights. That’s how "freedom of speech" works in Poland — when some people can do anything, and others can do nothing.
I actively joined actions against Russophobia in Poland, for which I was branded as a Putin agent and a traitor. Although I was just expressing my opinion.
— Didn't it seem to you like a drop in the ocean? Do you regret it?
— Of course not! Even if it didn’t bring a large-scale result, I still have the feeling that at least I didn’t remain silent and tried to show that there are Poles who are not consumed by hatred for the Russian people.
— Could you please clarify the story about the criminal case against you? What sanctions were you facing? Is the case closed now, or were you tried in absentia?
— The criminal case against me... You know, I prefer to say that it was the beginning of a new life. My example is clear proof that there is no democracy or freedom in Poland and Europe. For the photos I posted on my social media, I was charged under an article that could have sentenced me to anywhere from 3 months to 5 years in prison. And despite being already convicted and sentenced (a fine of 180,000 rubles), the Polish authorities and media still periodically remind me that I am an enemy to them, that the road back to Poland is closed for me, and if I ever thought of returning, in their view, my place would be behind bars.
— Warsaw considers Russia an aggressor, rewriting and eradicating Soviet history. But at the same time, many Poles have a sharply negative attitude towards Ukrainian nationalism and Ukrainian refugees. People remember the atrocities of the Bandera followers and do not want to see them repeated. If this is the case, can you explain how such diametrically different positions can coexist side by side? What do you think will prevail in the historical perspective?
— Let's start from the very beginning. The first wave of Ukrainian migration to Poland began after the Maidan, when the standard of living sharply declined, and military actions started in eastern Ukraine. The refugees from Ukraine at that time were mostly people from areas where the war was taking place. In other words, Russian-speaking people. Back then, from 2014 to 2022, people fled to the European Union for a better life and to get away from the civil war in Ukraine.
The situation changed with the start of the Special Military Operation (SMO), when migration began from the western territories of Ukraine. And they did not hide their admiration for the executioners of the Polish people. The Polish authorities turned their neighbors, Moscow and Minsk, into enemies, turned a blind eye to Bandera slogans, and remained silent when the Kiev regime insulted the memory of our brutally murdered ancestors. All of this was done for the sick dream of defeating Russia.
I disagree with this policy. And I know that there are people in my former homeland who share the same opinion. But on the other hand, I understand that propaganda has done its work, and Polish society is divided. There are those who fully understand what is happening, who know that the war did not start in 2022, but much earlier. But there are also those who are ready to accept the propaganda of the elites and, like the politicians, close their eyes to Bandera slogans for the sake of Russophobia.
What brings me some comfort is that more and more citizens, even those who fell for the authorities' propaganda, are gradually noticing that things are not as they thought and are starting to wake up. Therefore, I really hope that, in the end, common sense will prevail among my former fellow citizens.
On the New Home
— Marcin, in these two years, have you managed to settle in your new place, get used to the city and the people?
— Yes, you know, I still can’t believe that two whole years have passed. It still feels like it all happened yesterday. But in these two years, I’ve truly discovered Russia for myself, made new friends, and had the chance to visit Crimea. Have I gotten used to the new place… Probably, yes. Although it still feels strange that I can openly express my views about Russia, that no one calls me an agent or a traitor, as it was for many years in Poland. The longer I live here, in my now beloved country, the more I understand that coming to Russia was the best decision I could have made.
— How do you feel here – like at home or still like a guest?
— Russia has become my new home. That’s really how it is. I’ve never hidden that I am close to the values that Russia stands for. I mean human values, such as family, which Europe has forgotten about.
I have felt firsthand that here, no one divides people by nationality; the main thing is to be a good person. And seeing how the people of Russia treat each other, and how they have accepted me, someone seemingly from an unfriendly country, I always think that the opportunity to come here is probably the best reward for me for all the actions we carried out in Poland against Russophobia.
— Have you been able to get Russian citizenship yet? If not, what problems or obstacles are you facing?
— I’m eagerly waiting for the moment when I can proudly say that I am a citizen of this great country. That will probably be the happiest day. But for now, due to some changes in the legislation, I need to be patient. I am at peace with this because I believe that you can love a country and be a patriot of Russia even without citizenship.
— Do you often think about your homeland?
— You know, I’ve left Poland in the past for myself. I don’t feel drawn to it at all. Russia is my new homeland.
But that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten my friends and relatives. On the contrary, I feel great sympathy for them, as they are forced to live in a country where you can’t hold your own opinion or civic stance. We often exchange messages and call each other.
Therefore, I completely understand that there are still reasonable Poles there, for whom Russia is not an enemy. And because of them, there remains, somewhere in my soul, the thought that Poland as a homeland is one thing, but Poland as a state is another. It’s pleasant to remember Poland as a homeland. But Poland as a state, I don't want to know, and it is this Poland that I left in the past.
— Have you managed to visit Donbass yet?
— Unfortunately, I haven't been able to go there yet, but I really would like to. Unfortunately, due to bureaucratic issues arising from the fact that I am not a Russian citizen, it’s not possible at the moment. But I hope that one day it will be possible. I would love to go and see everything with my own eyes to show the real picture to my former fellow citizens.
