A Russian flag displayed during Dynamo Kyiv’s Europa League qualifier in Poland sparked angry scenes in the stands, prompting the stadium security to use tear gas on the crowds. The incident occurred during Dynamo’s nominal home match against Greek club PAOK at Arena Lublin on Thursday. The Ukrainian side has been playing European fixtures in Poland because of Russia’s invasion. Photos and videos showed the Russian flag in the away section, where PAOK supporters were joined by fans of the Polish club Widzew Łódź. A Widzew banner was visible, while some supporters chanted slogans condemning the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, a World War II-era nationalist force associated with the massacre of Polish civilians. Ukrainian fans responded with anti-Russian chants. Tensions then spilled into clashes with stadium security, which used tear gas to restore order, according to Polish media. Deliberate provocation Dynamo coach Ihor Kostiuk said the flag had been brought into the stadium intentionally. “It was a deliberate provocation by the Greek team’s supporters,” he said, adding that they appeared to fail to understand the suffering caused by Russia’s war. PAOK is owned by Russian-Greek billionaire Ivan Savvidis, a former Russian lawmaker from Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party. Forbes estimated his family’s fortune at $1.7 billion in 2026, placing him among Russia’s wealthiest businessmen. Savvidis has been widely described as close to Putin and publicly supported Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Ukraine confiscated some of his assets in 2024 over allegations that his businesses supported Russia’s military-industrial complex. PAOK won the first leg 3-2. The return match will be played in Thessaloniki on July 30.
The incident occurred during Dynamo’s match against Greek club PAOK in Lublin. Photo: PAP/Wojtek Jargiło, NEXTA/ X
