Polish President to Commemorate Victims of OUN-UPA in Radruż

President Karol Nawrocki will honor the victims of the genocide committed by Ukrainian nationalists on July 11 in Radruż, marking the anniversary of the Volhynian massacre’s peak.

Commemoration in Radruż

On July 11, President Karol Nawrocki will pay tribute to the victims of the genocide perpetrated by Ukrainian nationalists in the eastern territories of the Second Polish Republic. The ceremony will take place at 1:00 PM at the St. Paraskeva church complex in Radruż.

July 11 is observed as the National Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide committed by Ukrainian nationalists against citizens of the Second Polish Republic. This date marks the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in 1943, which served as the climax of the Volhynian massacres.

Historical Context of the Volhynian Massacre

According to Polish historians, in July 1943, units of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) conducted coordinated attacks on approximately 150 Polish-populated villages in Volhynia. This event is regarded as the culmination of the crimes labeled in Poland as the Volhynian genocide.

Researchers estimate that between February 1943 and the spring of 1945, over 100,000 Poles were killed in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia.

Diplomatic Tensions Over UPA Legacy

Recent weeks have seen a diplomatic crisis between Poland and Ukraine regarding the commemoration of the perpetrators of these crimes. The dispute was triggered by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s late-May decision to designate a Ukrainian military unit with the title “Heroes of the UPA.”

The decision faced backlash from Polish officials, including Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. In response, President Nawrocki announced on June 19 that he would revoke Zelenskyy’s Order of the White Eagle, which was subsequently returned to Warsaw via courier.

Several former Ukrainian presidents and current officials, including Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar and Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, have renounced their Polish decorations in solidarity.

Negotiations and Stance

During the NATO summit in Ankara, President Nawrocki held discussions with President Zelenskyy. Nawrocki stated that the issues surrounding the UPA and its symbols are non-negotiable for Poles and expressed hope for understanding from the Ukrainian side.