Historian Says Volyn Tragedy Research May Reduce Ukraine-Poland Tensions

Historian Yaroslav Hrytsak, a professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University, stated in an interview that detailed research into the Volyn tragedy (the Volyn crime) could significantly alter perceptions of the event's scale and reduce political tensions between Ukraine and Poland. The research is based not only on exhumations but primarily on thorough analysis of archival materials, including parish books from Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox churches, which often list cause of death. Researchers are also studying cemetery inscriptions and interviewing witnesses. Hrytsak acknowledged that time has complicated the research. The Volyn tragedy refers to the 1943 massacres of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists in Volhynia, a contentious historical issue that has strained bilateral relations.

Global Impact

Politically, the research could de-escalate a long-standing historical dispute between Ukraine and Poland, which has occasionally flared into diplomatic spats. This would strengthen Ukraine's position in its EU accession talks by removing a bilateral irritant.