During WWI, the Germans referred to resistance as "partizanen" or "franc-tireurs" (free shooters) In occupied Belgium, the perceived existence of "partizanen" led to punitive actions on the part of the Germans: which were collectively called "The Rape of Belgium" in 1914.

Used in propaganda of the time, the plight of "brave little Belgium" was instrumental for turning the Anglo-Saxon public opinion towards sending expeditionary forces.

Being labeled a "partisan" was very much a mixed bag for the civilian population at the time. Not everyone was willing to actively resist and partisan actions often meant running a risk of endangering the population, therefore losing support among said population.

So, even today, regarding Ukraine, I'd be very careful about making statements about how resistance fighters are perceived by the local population in that particular context.