'Heard Kinzhal overhead': Polish envoy on life in Ukraine and Kyiv work

Piotr Łukasiewicz, Poland’s chargé d’affaires in Ukraine since September 2024, set up an NV interview at Sens bookstore on Khreshchatyk. Before it began, he asked for a few minutes, pausing at a stand of new titles and browsing them unhurriedly.

Łukasiewicz is a reserve colonel. He previously served at a communications hub in Kraków and later spent nearly a decade working on state security and counterterrorism. In 2004–2005, he took part in stabilization missions in Iraq.

“I thought my military experience had prepared me [for events in Ukraine],” the diplomat said, recalling shelling he experienced on his first night in Kyiv. “But in reality, you can’t prepare for this.”

NV asked Łukasiewicz five questions about his work in Ukraine.

— What do you consider your biggest achievement during your time in Ukraine?

— After the start of the full-scale invasion, the Polish Embassy’s activities in Ukraine were significantly reduced for obvious reasons. But over the past year and a half to two years, we have fully restored operations. The embassy is now working persistently and tirelessly to support strong partnership between our countries. We are probably the only embassy in Kyiv that receives so many high-level guests. Our record is three visits by ministers and deputy ministers in one day.

— What has been the most difficult moment?

— Being away from my family, who live in Warsaw. I visit them about once every two months and miss them very much. Otherwise, I don’t see major problems in working here, aside from the obvious challenges linked to these terrible attacks. Kyiv is a fantastic city.

— Did you face any everyday difficulties this winter, and how did you cope?

— As diplomats, we have certain privileges — for example, we have electricity at the embassy. I don’t want to offend city residents by saying, “We are freezing just like you on Kyiv’s left bank,” so I don’t compare us with other Kyiv residents.

Of course, we also face issues with electricity and water. We remain here during air attacks and can be affected by their consequences.

We live in a city that endured a humanitarian crisis this winter due to frost and damage to the energy system. It pushed us to do more to help Kyiv residents. I mean the generators Poland provided to Kyiv and the broader support campaign we were actively involved in.

— How do you cope with shelling?

— Like all Kyiv residents: I go to shelters and follow updates through online channels. I live near one of the combined heat and power plants, and we all know what it’s like when missiles explode nearby.

Once, I woke up at night and saw an alert about two Kinzhal missiles launched from Russia. Then I heard them flying overhead — seconds later, explosions, and then the electricity went out. So I experienced the full “package” that every Kyiv resident knows.

— What do you like about Ukraine and Ukrainians, and what not?

— I’ve lived here long enough to be both impressed and occasionally frustrated. When I think about Ukrainians, I see real people — with all their flaws, but also with their most heroic qualities.