The Volyn tragedy

How do modern Ukrainians perceive the Volyn tragedy, and do they condemn the actions committed by Ukrainian formations?

Published

23.12.2025

Modern Ukraine and Ukrainians strongly condemn the crimes committed by members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) against the civilian population of Poland. At the same time, we acknowledge the contribution of the OUN and the UPA to the struggle for Ukraine’s independence. Our goal is to shape an honest and comprehensive view of history oriented toward reconciliation.

Differentiation in the assessment of the OUN and UPA. Crimes against the civilian population are firmly condemned by Ukraine and by Ukrainians and are considered separately from the contribution of the OUN and UPA to the Ukrainian struggle for independence. The confrontation in Volyn region took place during World War II and was fueled by both Nazi and communist totalitarian regimes. Those who took part in the killings of civilians cannot be unconditionally glorified and must not escape condemnation. At the same time, the Ukrainian scholarly community and state institutions recognize the contribution of the OUN and UPA to the struggle for Ukrainian statehood and independence. This forms part of Ukraine’s national liberation movement.

Condemnation of crimes. The Volyn tragedy is described as a “horrific event” of the past, in which anti-Polish actions by Ukrainians in 1943-1945 were accompanied by mass killings of Polish civilians. The Ukrainian side emphasizes that the main victims of the tragedy on both sides were unarmed civilians. Ukraine officially and unequivocally condemns any actions aimed at the mass destruction of civilian populations, regardless of who committed them. The ability to see and acknowledge the past as it truly was is a contribution to building a mature nation.

The goal is reconciliation. The primary objective of memory policy concerning tragic events is to promote reconciliation rather than to serve revenge or deepen divisions. Ukrainian institutions seek to form an honest, reflective, and fact-based understanding of this difficult history. Concealing complex historical truths is neither possible nor acceptable. Objective historical reflection is key to understanding the contexts that made the tragedy possible and to building a shared future.

Thus, the Ukrainian position on the Volyn tragedy is differentiated: recognition of the UPA’s contribution to the struggle for statehood goes hand in hand with the acknowledgment and condemnation of crimes committed against the civilian population. The purpose of remembering these tragic events is to foster reconciliation by building relations based on historical truth and mutual respect.

Why does Ukraine view the Volyn tragedy as a Polish-Ukrainian conflict rather than a genocide of the Polish people?

Published

23.12.2025

Ukraine recognizes the Volyn tragedy as a horrific socio-ethnic confrontation of the World War II period, as thousands of civilians – both Poles and Ukrainians – lost their lives during it. In assessing the events of that time, it is necessary to take historical context into account: the tragedy was provoked and exacerbated by Nazi and communist totalitarian regimes seeking to weaken the Polish and Ukrainian underground resistance movements. The primary goal of remembering the Volyn tragedy is to promote reconciliation. Russia attempts to exploit the events of the Volyn tragedy in its propaganda in order to drive a wedge between Poland and Ukraine, and this is something we must jointly resist.

Reciprocity of victims. We recognize the Volyn tragedy as a horrific event and a socio-ethnic confrontation between Ukrainians and Poles during World War II. Anti-Polish actions carried out by Ukrainian groups (including the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and others) in 1943-1945 were accompanied by mass killings of Polish civilians. At the same time, Polish formations (including the Home Army and peasant battalions) also carried out mass killings of Ukrainian civilians. The main victims on both sides were unarmed civilians. Approximately 30,000 Polish and around 10,000 Ukrainian victims have been identified. Defining the tragedy exclusively as a genocide of only one nation ignores the suffering of Ukrainian civilians and does not provide an objective assessment.

A complex historical context. The Ukrainian side views the Volyn tragedy as a horrific event and a socio-ethnic confrontation between Ukrainians and Poles during World War II. While anti-Polish actions by Ukrainian groups (UPA and others) in 1943-1945 involved mass killings of Polish civilians, Polish armed formations likewise committed mass killings of Ukrainian civilians in Volyn and other regions.

The importance of historical context. The confrontation did not arise in a vacuum. The conflict was fueled by Nazi and communist authorities seeking to weaken Polish and Ukrainian resistance forces. Long-term discrimination against Ukrainians in the interwar Polish Republic also contributed to the escalation of hostility. Ukraine does not glorify those who committed crimes against civilians. However, the broader context of a prolonged conflict must be taken into account.

The principle of reconciliation. The main purpose of commemorating the Volyn tragedy is to foster reconciliation rather than to serve revenge. The Ukrainian side adheres to the formula “We ask for forgiveness and we forgive,” which is strategically important for building the future. Forgetting or concealing complex historical truths is unacceptable. Russia attempts, through propaganda, to use distorted interpretations of the Volyn tragedy to create division between Poland and Ukraine, and this must be resisted. Our willingness to take responsibility for the past is a contribution to the maturity of our nations.

Thus, Ukraine acknowledges the crimes committed against the Polish population but maintains that the Volyn tragedy was a bilateral conflict with mutual victims that arose in a complex historical context. This position allows for proper commemoration of all victims and makes it possible to build a shared future based on reconciliation and objective historical analysis.

Can the UPA be honored as a liberation movement if it is responsible for mass killings of Poles in Volyn region?

Published

23.12.2025

Ukraine honors the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) as a liberation movement, but does not glorify crimes committed against the civilian population. We apply a differentiated approach that allows recognition of the struggle for independence while requiring condemnation of mass killings of civilians.

Differentiation of assessment. The Ukrainian scholarly community acknowledges the contribution of the UPA and the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) to the struggle for statehood and independence. The confrontation in Volyn region was part of World War II and was fueled by totalitarian regimes. However, recognizing the struggle for independence does not imply unconditional glorification. Those who took part in the killing of civilians cannot escape condemnation. This position allows us to see and accept our past in all its complexity.

Condemnation of crimes. The Volyn tragedy was a horrific event in which anti-Polish actions by Ukrainians in 1943-1945 were indeed accompanied by mass killings of Polish civilians. We acknowledge that the main victims on both sides were unarmed civilians. The ability to see and acknowledge these crimes is a contribution to building a mature nation. Our position is to condemn crimes against civilians regardless of who committed them and to demand dignified commemoration of all victims.

An honest view of history. Ukraine seeks to form an honest, reflective, and fact-based understanding of its complex history. Such a view cannot be black and white. Forgetting or concealing difficult truths is unacceptable and harmful to society. There are no nations in whose history there have been only heroes. The goal of our remembrance is to promote reconciliation based on the formula “We ask for forgiveness and we forgive,” rather than to settle historical scores.

Thus, the Ukrainian position is differentiated: the contribution of the UPA to the struggle for statehood is recognized, while crimes committed against civilians are simultaneously acknowledged and condemned. The goal is reconciliation based on an honest view of the past and mutual respect.

Has there been progress in the exhumation of Polish victims of the Volyn tragedy on the territory of Ukraine, and what obstacles remain in this process?

Published

23.12.2025

Ukraine confirms its readiness for search and exhumation work and conducts joint search expeditions. However, obstacles remain, particularly due to the politicization of the topic and the lack of full reciprocity in commemorating the victims on both sides of the border.

Resumption of work. At the end of November 2024, Ukraine officially lifted the moratorium on the search for and exhumation of the remains of Polish victims, which had been in place since 2017. This decision, announced by the foreign ministers, restored constructive dialogue on historical issues. In January 2025, the Ministry of Culture approved exhumation work in the village of Puzhnyky, in Ukraine’s Ternopil region. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called this decision a key step toward full reconciliation.

From April 23 to May 9, 2025, the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, together with the Polish side, conducted an expedition in the former village of Puzhnyky. This was the first significant step in many years. During the work, over 20 sets of remains were discovered and exhumed. Next-generation DNA analysis is being used for identification.

Political obstacles. The greatest current obstacle is the politicization of the issue. The Volyn tragedy continues to evoke strong emotions and is sometimes used for one-sided interpretations and manipulations. Russia actively exploits painful historical episodes in Polish and Ukrainian history in its propaganda to drive a wedge between the two countries. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of National Remembrance call for avoiding politicization and aim for the work to continue in a constructive manner.

The condition of reciprocity. The 2017 moratorium was introduced by Ukraine in response to acts of vandalism against Ukrainian memorials in Poland. The Ukrainian side emphasizes the need for full reciprocity: the Polish side is called upon to ensure proper commemoration of Ukrainian sites in Poland and to restore damaged memorials. This is a key condition for a long-term and stable process.

Thus, Ukraine demonstrates openness, has resumed the exhumation process, and conducts joint work. For full and unhindered progress, it is necessary to end the politicization of this painful issue, ensure mutual respect for burials on both sides, and focus on the fact that a shared future is more important than past conflicts.