[Source]

Comment: Well, this coin has two sides. The older generation of Poles (the “boomers”) remember facts and historical truth about the partition of Poland by Russia, (Prussia, and Austria) that lasted 123 years and ended in 1918. They remember the history of Soviet invasion of Poland in 1920. They remember the communist years and repressions of 1945 to 1989 – years under the domination of the Soviet Union. After 1980, they were influenced by the independence faction of the “Solidarity” movement. After 1989, they were strongly influenced by Rusophobic propaganda of the state and some major mainstream media. They have noticed Putin’s attacks blaming Poland for the outbreak of World War 2, although Poland annexed Zaolzie with the same excuses that Russia used to annex Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. Ukraine, as a member of NATO, was seen and strongly desired in Poland as a buffer zone between Russia and Poland, and wider, between Russia and Western Europe.

The younger generation (under 40) was educated in new schools, after the implementation of dumbing down education reforms that started in 1980s in the US, in 1990s in Canada, and later in many European countries. Yes, they were affected by the Rusophobic official narrative but also, they were confused and tired out by the constant conflicts between political parties that were sponsored by foreign powers competing for Polish public opinion. They were frustrated with the state of economy and lack of perspectives in their own country. No wonder they have finally had enough of it – but this does not mean that they are “smart”. Lack of historical knowledge, washed out patriotism, and political naivity are not “smart”. Of course, Russian propaganda is trying to take adventage of this conflict and we can see it both in Poland and in the West.