Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Poland experienced an unprecedented influx of war refugees, mainly women and children. This study analyses the attitudes of Polish non-metropolitan areas residents towards Ukrainian refugees in the first months of the conflict and examines how traditional patterns of rural hospitality intersect with infrastructural limitations. The analysis is based on recollections collected as part of the “My Local Community Towards Refugees” competition. The study uses qualitative textual analysis to explore personal accounts of aid, taking into account the changing dynamics of the relationship between refugees and host communities. While many villagers actively integrated refugees into their social networks, narratives of scepticism, resentment and nationalistic hostility also emerged, often shaped by economic concerns and historical grievances.