Cichocki’s return of the award was a response to a decision to give a Ukrainian military unit an honorary name referencing the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
Earlier, former Polish President Lech Walesa said he had removed a Ukrainian flag pin from his chest and would no longer support Zelenskyy, though he would continue helping the Ukrainian people.
Zelenskyy’s Decree No. 440/2026, dated May 26, which
granted the Separate Special Operations Center North of the Special Operations
Forces of Ukraine’s Armed Forces the honorary name of the Heroes of the
Ukrainian Insurgent Army, said the move was made “to restore the historical
traditions of the national army and in view of the exemplary performance of
assigned tasks during the defense of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and
independence.”