The Russian embassy has sparked a diplomatic controversy following a statement regarding the victims of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). The embassy claimed that these victims were formally citizens of the Soviet Union. This assertion comes as a reaction to the Polish president's decision concerning the Order of the White Eagle. Specifically, it relates to the ability of the Ukrainian president to receive or hold this prestigious honor. The Russian statement has been described as curious and contentious. It attempts to redefine the legal status of victims from a historical perspective. The move is seen as an intervention in the complex historical relations between Poland and Ukraine. This diplomatic friction highlights ongoing tensions over the interpretation of wartime atrocities.