Unique archive documents about Ukrainians who fought in the Anti-Hitler coalition armies have been presented to the public

“Ukraine has been a part of the Second World War from the beginning: Wehrmacht planes bombed Galychyna and Volyn since September 1, 1939. At the same time, hundreds of thousand Ukrainians have fought in the anti-Hitler coalition armies (USA, British Empire, France). Ukrainians have also been amongst those, who freed Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania and other European countries from Nazism. And now, we need their help, because our country has faced occupation by our neighboring state – Russia”, - stated Gia Getsadze, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine, during the opening of an exhibition of documents, provided by the National archival fund of Ukraine, dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Victory over Nazism in Europe “Ukraine: path to Victory”.

“Ukraine is the most peace loving country in the world. We have voluntarily renounced nuclear weapons back in the 90-s, realizing how important it is to stay calm and maintain peace and hoping that others will appreciate it. But history is often accompanied by paradoxes and now our country, as never before, needs understanding and support from Western countries”, - emphasized Gia Getsadze.

“Ukraine: path to Victory” exhibition has been prepared by the State Archival Service of Ukraine pursuant to Decree of the President of Ukraine of March 24, 2015 № 169/2015 “On events to celebrate the 70-th anniversary of Victory over Nazism in Europe and the 70-th anniversary of the end of the Second World War”.

The exhibition has been organized by joint efforts of the Central State Archive of Public Organizations of Ukraine, the Central State Archive of Supreme Bodies of Power and Government of Ukraine, Pshenychny Central State Cinematic, Photo and Background Archive, the Central State Archives of Foreign Archival Ukrainica and the Industrial State Archive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Postcards, cipher telegrams, diary entries, presented at the exhibition, show waging war against occupying forces by the resistance movement representatives (nationalist forces and partisan groups), as well as they indicate attempts of finding compromise in the struggle against a common enemy.

“Some documents are demonstrated here for the first time and they are unique evidence of tragic history of Ukrainian people. This exhibition has been prepared based on central and industrial archives”, - stated Igor Bondarchuk, Deputy Head of the State Archival Service of Ukraine.

“It is really a fascinating exhibition of documentary historical evidence that do not allow to falsify history and to ascribe heroic deeds to only a single nation”, - stated Victor Yelenskiy, Deputy Head of the Committee, Head of the subcommittee in the freedom of conscience and religious organization sector of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on matters of culture and spirituality.

As it is known, Ukraine lost 8-10 million people in the Second World War.

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