Zelensky Addresses Volhynia Massacre Anniversary, Pledges Truth and Exhumations

On the anniversary of the Volhynia massacre, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to establishing historical facts and announced upcoming exhumations, while highlighting the shared existential threat currently posed by Russia.

Commemoration of Victims

On Saturday, President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the anniversary of the civilian deaths in Volhynia during World War II with a statement on X. He noted that representatives from both Ukraine and Poland participated in joint prayers in both countries to honor the victims.

Commitment to Exhumations

Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine is working to verify the facts surrounding those who died, with searches currently underway at former village sites and burial grounds. The president declared that Ukraine is determined to accelerate this process.

Exhumation work is scheduled to begin in two days in the villages of Wola Ostrowiecka and Ostrówki. Zelensky emphasized the necessity of achieving the full truth and providing a Christian commemoration for the victims.

The Shared Threat of Russia

The president warned that Poland and Ukraine face a common, lethal threat to their independence, cities, and villages today: Russia. He stated that acknowledging the past should not cast doubt on the future of both nations and Europe.

Historical Context of the Volhynia Massacre

National Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Genocide is observed on July 11, marking the height of the “Bloody Sunday” events in 1943. Legislation from June 2025 highlights that Poles were murdered in approximately one hundred locations on that date.

Between 1939 and 1946, Ukrainian nationalists from the OUN and UPA committed genocide against the Polish population in the former eastern provinces of the Second Polish Republic. The Institute of National Remembrance estimates that more than 120,000 Polish citizens perished during this period.