There actually *was* a Polish empire. Western Ukraine was under its dominion. Gogol's novel Taras Bulba portrays a local chieftain fighting against the Poles (BTW, great story, worth a read).
Poland's been... through a lot of changes since then. Maybe check Snyder's Bloodlands for some of that (IMO kind of a slog).
Written by Bob Koure
Retired software architect, statistical analyst, hotel mgr, bike racer, distance swimmer. Photographer. Amateur historian. Avid reader. Home cook. Never-FBer