Kyiv’s decision to award a military unit the title ‘Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA)’ has revived historical tensions with Poland. In Poland, the UPA is linked to massacres of Polish civilians during World War II in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, which claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Supporters of the honor argue that the dispute should not overshadow the two countries’ current cooperation against Russia’s war of aggression. Critics, however, see the conflict as an obstacle to closer partnership. Ukrainian defenders of the UPA reject equating the movement with criminality, emphasizing its character as a struggle for independence.
The conflict between Poland and Ukraine over the historical assessment of the UPA has simmered for decades. While Kyiv honors the insurgents as freedom fighters against Soviet rule, Warsaw demands a clear distancing from the war crimes. The latest honor comes at a time when both countries, facing Russian aggression, rely on close political and military cooperation.
Source: www.kyivpost.com
