Ukraine Plans Exhumation of Victims of the Volyn Tragedy in 2025

The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory (UINP) has announced plans to commence the search and exhumation of the remains of Polish victims of The Volyn tragedy in Rivne region in 2025. This decision comes in response to requests from Polish citizens.

According to a statement released by the UINP on October 1, the institute received inquiries in September regarding the exhumation efforts. As a result, they aim to incorporate search activities in Rivne into their operational plans for the upcoming year.

Anton Drobovych, the head of the UINP, emphasized Ukraine’s ongoing openness to collaborate with Polish institutions concerning the identification, preservation, and maintenance of memorial sites for both Ukrainians in Poland and Poles in Ukraine.

However, Drobovych noted that official inter-institutional mechanisms for addressing complex issues with the Polish side regarding the restoration and preservation of memorial sites have not functioned effectively for an extended period. Consequently, the UINP is inclined to address the interests of Polish citizens.

In light of potential exhumation efforts, Drobovych mentioned that the UINP is willing to assist Polish citizens in identifying potential search locations, provided they receive the necessary clarifications regarding these sites. This assistance will be offered despite the ongoing war and the challenging economic circumstances in Ukraine.

While the UINP did not specify who submitted the request, prior reports by EuroPravda indicated that the inquiry originated from Karolina Romanowska, the head of the Polish-Ukrainian Reconciliation Society, particularly concerning the village of Uhly in modern-day Rivne region.