Poland commemorates victims of the Ukrainian massacres in World War II

Poland today commemorated the victims of wartime massacres committed by members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) during World War II, marking the national Day of Remembrance for Victims of Genocide. According to estimates, Ukrainians under Nazi occupation, territories that are now part of Ukraine, systematically killed more than 100,000 Poles, predominantly civilians. The commemoration took place amid heightened tensions between Poland and Ukraine, with Polish officials emphasizing the need to remember historical atrocities while acknowledging contemporary political complexities. The day of remembrance was observed on July 11, which marks the peak of the so-called “Bloody Sunday” in 1943. On that date, approximately 100 Polish villages were attacked, according to reports from the German news agency dpa. Polish President Karol Nawrocki laid flowers at memorials dedicated to the victims in the town of Radruż, located in southern-eastern Poland. He stressed the importance of preserving memory as a means of fostering reflection on shared future. “We will not forget the 120,000 Poles, civilians and children who were brutally murdered by Ukrainian nationalists,” he stated, as reported by the Polish news agency PAP. President Nawrocki also revoked the highest Polish state honor from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This decision followed Zelenskyy’s military unit being named after the UPA, a group historically responsible for mass killings of Poles during the war. The move has intensified diplomatic friction between the two nations, with both sides citing historical grievances. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for unity and mutual respect, stating that remembrance and truth should help build a better future free of hatred and contempt. He announced plans to erect a new memorial for civilian victims of the massacres. Relations between Poland and Ukraine have been strained for several weeks due to the continued reverence for the UPA among some Ukrainians, despite its role in wartime violence against Poles. In June, Nawrocki formally stripped Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, the country's highest honor. The decision was based on Zelenskyy’s naming of a military unit after the UPA, which many Poles view as a symbolic endorsement of historical perpetrators. Reports from dpa indicate that this act has reignited tensions between the two neighboring countries. Historical accounts suggest that between 1943 and 1945, Ukrainian insurgents operating in territories under Nazi control, now part of modern-day Ukraine, carried out systematic attacks against Polish civilians. Estimates of the number of victims vary significantly. Polish historians estimate the death toll to range between 10,000 and 12,000, while Ukrainian sources claim the figure could be as high as 30,000, according to PAP. These conflicting figures highlight the ongoing debate over the scale and nature of wartime atrocities. The commemoration ceremony included participation from both Polish and international dignitaries, underscoring the broader significance of the event beyond bilateral relations. The focus on historical memory reflects a wider effort to confront painful chapters of the past while navigating present geopolitical realities. As Poland continues to emphasize the importance of remembering its wartime losses, the issue remains a sensitive topic in inter-state dialogue. The placement of a new memorial for victims is expected to further solidify Poland’s stance on historical accountability.