Protesting Polish farmers dump grain from Ukrainian trucks on border

MOSCOW. Feb 12 (Interfax) - Polish police are investigating an incident near the Dorohusk-Yagodin crossing on the Ukrainian border, in which protesting Polish farmers caused grain to be dumped from Ukrainian trucks onto the ground, Ukrainian media have reported with reference to RMF24.

"After undergoing border formalities, three trucks with Ukrainian citizens entered Poland. Protesters did not let the vehicles pass and opened the trailers at some moment, causing grain to be dumped onto the road. The drivers turned around and returned to Ukraine," Ewa Czyz, spokesperson for the Chelm police department, said in the report, adding that the incident did not involve scuffles or any other dangerous events.

Police are working to find out details and collect evidence at the scene.

"We're carrying out an inquiry, identifying personal data of individuals who were involved [in the incident], and questioning witnesses," she said.

The findings will be forwarded to prosecutors to analyze the incident from the standpoint of criminal law, RMF24 said.

Ukrainian Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative Taras Kachka said while commenting on the incident at the border that the response of Polish authorities was not adequate enough and might "worsen xenophobia and political violence."

"The only thing that can help now is lifting all blockades and ensuring the security of Ukrainian cargo in Poland," Ukrainian media quoted Kachka as saying on social media.

"We are at a crossroads now. Either we should be afraid of violence that is now ruining not only Polish-Ukrainian trade, but also the Lublin Triangle, as they destroyed grain headed to Lithuania. Or we should finally wake up and start talking like adults," Ukrainian media quoted Kachka as saying on social media.

Kachka warned that, if Poland keeps ignoring violence toward Ukrainian goods, he would not be surprised if this might prompt someone to attack trucks carrying Polish cheese in Ukraine or destroy Polish groceries in Ukrainian supermarkets.