Anastazja, a 27-year-old Ukrainian woman living in Poland since 2016, is currently five months pregnant. She recounted a traumatic experience on February 12, when a driver confronted her after seeing her husband's car with Ukrainian license plates, shouting profanities and slurs. This incident marks the first time she has faced such hostility in Poland, raising concerns about the increase in xenophobia towards Ukrainians amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

On that day, while parking her car on a one-way street in central Warsaw, Anastazja's husband was attempting to exit the street when a taxi driver, frustrated by the situation, shouted derogatory comments directed at them. Despite the tense atmosphere, both Anastazja and her husband remained calm, and she asked the taxi driver about his behavior. This reaction underscores a significant cultural challenge as Polish society grapples with xenophobic sentiments following the influx of Ukrainian refugees since the start of the conflict.

This encounter not only highlights the personal trauma Anastazja experienced but also signifies a broader issue of rising nationalist sentiments and xenophobia in Poland. The attack reflects deeper societal tensions that have emerged in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for community support and awareness to counteract such incidents in the future.