LONDON

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced that 63 people will be expelled from the country after a controversial Ukrainian nationalist flag was displayed at a concert in Warsaw.

The incident took place on Saturday during a performance by Belarusian rapper Max Korzh at the capital’s National Stadium, the Polish broadcaster TVP World reported on Tuesday.

Clashes broke out between concertgoers and security staff, leading to more than 100 arrests.

Footage from the event showed one attendee holding the black-and-red flag of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group involved in the 1943-1944 Volhynian massacres, in which tens of thousands of Poles were killed by Ukrainian nationalists.

Posting on social media on Tuesday, Tusk said: “The resolution of the war in Ukraine is coming, so Russia is doing everything to sow discord between Kyiv and Warsaw. Anti-Polish gestures by Ukrainians and fueling anti-Ukrainian sentiments in Poland are Putin’s scenario, orchestrated by foreign agents and local idiots. Always the same ones.”

He later confirmed that 63 people, including 57 Ukrainians and six Belarusians, were involved in initiating the situation and would be expelled. “Absolutely unnecessary events occurred there and required a quick response,” he said.

A man identifying himself as the person who brandished the flag posted a video apology online.

Introducing himself as Dmitry, he said: “I did not intend to provoke negative emotions. The flag that I held was, to me, a symbol of support for Ukrainians. I had nothing to do with propaganda for any regime. I just wanted to remind about Russian aggression and the safety of our soldiers. If anyone felt hurt, I am sorry.”

“I am grateful to all Poles who helped and continue to help Ukrainians. I thank you sincerely, and I am sorry once again,” he added.

Korzh, who left Belarus in 2024 citing the threat of political persecution, called for peace in Ukraine and friendly relations between Poland and Belarus during the concert.