Ukraine begins excavations in Poland: graves of UPA soldiers will be searched

Ukraine will begin search and exhumation work in Poland. The start of such work is scheduled for September 30. Ukrainian experts will first examine a mass grave in the village of Yurechkova. The remains of 20 dead UPA soldiers are likely to be located here. In total, four such locations have been agreed upon, but there may be significantly more.

Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Andriy Nadzhos told Ukrinform that the Ukrainian expedition will begin work in Poland.

According to him, the Polish side has already been notified about the work. This concerns the area where the stone cross is located. Actually, it is a landmark. However, there is currently no accurate data that a mass grave could be located here.

“The departure is scheduled for September 29. We are talking about approximate dates, the Polish side agreed to start the work on September 30. The geolocation is already known, we informed the Polish side which area in the forest we plan to explore. There is an old stone cross on this site, that is, it is also a certain marker for us, although it is not a fact that the mass grave is located at this particular place,” said Najos.

According to him, the search and exhumation work will take place in several stages. In total, the mission will work for a month. According to Ukrainian historians, the remains of two dozen soldiers of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army may be located in Yurechkova.

Poland has already agreed to such work at four locations. There may probably be more such places with the remains of UPA soldiers. However, there are currently difficulties with both financing the excavations and staffing them to carry out the work. In addition, the cold weather does not favor excavations, so the mission’s work is limited in time.

“Each expedition requires thorough preparation, specialists, and funding. Even if we declare 20 locations, and theoretically there could be even more, we cannot master them. In practice, according to the law, permits (for search and exhumation work – ed.) are given for a year. What we manage to do during the year, we manage to do. The term for such work is limited by nature and climatic conditions. We cannot dig in winter. In fact, the active phase of work can last up to 6 months during the year. Therefore, we are soberly approaching our ambitions regarding search work. We understand that God forbid we “close” Yurechkova this year,” explained Najos.

It should be noted that earlier Polish law enforcement officers reported the detention of two 17-year-old Ukrainians who painted red-and-black flags and left “Bandera slogans” at places of remembrance of the victims of the Volyn tragedy.

Poland also deported 63 people who attended a concert by Belarusian rapper Korzh. Among them are 57 citizens of Ukraine.

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