The Archive of the Institute of National Remembrance has been cooperating with the Sectoral State Archive of the Security Service of Ukraine (HDA SBU) since 2001 as a continuation of the cooperation initiated in the 1990s between the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration and SBU. The series Poland and Ukraine in the 1930s and 1940s. Unknown documents from the Archives of the Secret Services  has been published since 1998. So far, 11 publications have been released (volumes I-IX and two volumes in English).

Currently, work on the 10th volume, Order No. 001353. The Proscription Operation of the NKVD 1939–1941, is being finalized. The volume contains documents from HDA SBU concerning the NKVD ‘s operations aimed at "cleansing" the territories of the former south-eastern provinces of the Second Polish Republic of anti-Soviet elements.

On 26 March 2018, the Institute of National Remembrance concluded an agreement with the State Regional Archives in Odessa, Vinnytsia and Khmelnytsky in Ukraine. The agreement provides Polish archivists with access to thousands of documents regarding the crimes committed against Poles in the years 1937–38 in the Soviet Union, as part of the so-called Polish Operation of the NKVD. Within two years, on the basis of the agreement, the IPN Archive has received over 660,000 copies of files documenting the scale and course of the repressions committed on Poles in the Ukrainian SSR during the Great Terror.

The Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938 exhibition, presented in several cities around the world, incl. in Warsaw, Kiev and New York is also the  result of the above mentioned cooperation.

Work on a publication on the fate of the victims of order no.00486  of August 1937, issued by Nikolai Yezhov, Head of the NKVD, on the basis of which political repressions were carried out against the families of the "enemies of the people", is currently underway.

The Institute of National Remembrance concluded an agreement with the State Regional Archives - in Odessa, Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi in Ukraine. The agreements provide for access for Polish archivists to thousands of documents regarding the NKVD crimes committed on Poles in 1937-38 in the Soviet Union

The "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938"exhibition was prepared by the Institute of National Remembrance basing on the above mentioned archival materials and photographs from the State Regional Archives – in Odessa, Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi as well as documents obtained from the Memorial Society and the Center for Polish-Russian Dialogue and Understanding.

The exhibition has received the Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda on the 100^th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence.

 

The exhibition consists of 16 boards presenting the fate of people persecuted as part of the "Polish operation" carried out by the NKVD in the Soviet Union in 1937-1938, during which over 143,000 people were arrested, at least 111,000 of whom were sentenced to death. Nearly 30,000 Poles were sent to labor camps. In Ukraine alone, where the largest concentration of the Polish population in the USSR was located, 55 928 people were tried, of whom 47,327 were murdered.
The men arrested as part of the operation were accused of belonging to the Polish Military Organization, disbanded in 1921, and which allegedly carried out espionageand subversive activities for the benefit of the Second Polish Republic. Most of them were sentenced to death. The wives of "spies" or "enemies of the people" were sent for 5 to 10 years to Kazakhstan for not informing the authorities about "the counter-revolutionary espionage activities" of their husbands. Their children were often placed in orphanages or imprisoned in labor camps.

The first five boards show the situation of Poles after the Treaty of Riga and the course of the "Polish operation" in the USSR. The following ones portray the personal stories of the repressed. Additionally, 3 boards present photographs of the reenactment of arrests, interrogations and shootings.

In Ukraine the exhibition has so far been on display in:

• Khmelnytskyi – 23 November 2018
• Vinnytsia – 12 April 2019
•  Odessa – 9 September 2019
•  Kiev – 20 November 2019

Apart from being shown in Poland, the exhibition also reached the U.S. The Archive of the Institute of National Remembrance and the Pamięć US Association opened the "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938" exhibition as part of the 8th edition of the IPN’s History Point in New York. On 17 November 2019 it was presented in the church. St. Stanisław Bishop and Martyr in Manhattan, New York and was viewed at the Polish Cultural Foundation in Clark on 20 November 2019. The official opening was accompanied by lectures. Workshops for teachers of Polish students abroad dedicated to the so-called NKVD anti-Polish operation took place at the Polish Cultural Foundation in Clark.

The opening of the "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938" exhibition - New York - 17 November 2019, Clark – 20 November 2019

 

 

 

A visit of the delegation of the Institute of National Remembrance to Khmelnytskyi and Kamianets-Podilskyi (Ukraine) - 22-23 November 2018

 

The opening of the exhibition "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938" - Vinnytsia (Ukraine), 12 April 2019

 

 

 

The opening of the "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938" exhibition – Odessa, 9-12 September 2019

 

 

The opening of the "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938" exhibition, Kiev – 20 November 2019

• Representatives of Ukrainian archives visit the IPN - Warsaw, 24-25 February 2020

• On 24-25 February, the Institute of National Remembrance hosted a delegation from Ukraine composed of: Anatoly Chromov – the President of the State Archive Service of Ukraine, Olga Bazan – the Director of the Central State Archive of Social Organizations of Ukraine and Vitaly Biłyj - the First Secretary of the Embassy of Ukraine in Warsaw.

• The opening of the "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938" exhibition – Odessa, 9-12 September 2019
  On 9-12 September representatives of the Institute of National Remembrance will be visiting Odessa. During the stay in Ukraine, Dr Jarosław Szarek, President of the Institute of National Remembrance, will officially open the IPN exhibition: "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938".

• Meeting with Ukrainian historians from Vinnytsia - 10 June 2019
  During the meeting, Dr. Yurii Łehun, director of the District Archives in Vinnytsia characterized the archival resources of his institution and discussed the ongoing cooperation with the IPN Archive aimed at securing and digitizing materials regarding the Polish Operation of the NKVD in the years 1937-1938. The director of the Centre of Vinnytsia's  History, Dr. Oleksandr Fedorishen, talked about the " Vinnytsia massacre" and exhumations carried out in the city.

• International scientific conference "Symon Petliura (1879-1926) - the leader of independent Ukraine. On the 140th anniversary of birth "- Warsaw, 21 May  2019
  The international conference organized by the IPN's Historical Research Office and the Center for East-European Studies of  Warsaw University "Symon Petliura (1879-1926) - the leader of independent Ukraine. On the 140th anniversary of birth " was held at the IPN's educational center in Warsaw. As part of the conference, eminent researchers from Poland and Ukraine presented views expressed by Petliura - a Ukrainian political leader and Commander-in-Chief. They also focused on  the image of Petliura in the eyes and collective memory of Ukrainians and Poles. In addition,  many myths and stereotypes surrounding the leader, in particular the question of his attitude towards Jews, were discussed.

• The opening of the exhibition "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938" - Vinnytsia (Ukraine), 12 April 2019.
  On 12 April 2019, Dr Jarosław Szarek, President of the Institute of National Remembrance, opened the exhibition "Order No. 00485. Anti-Polish Operation of the NKVD in Soviet Ukraine 1937-1938" in the lobby of the Vinnytsia City Council.The ceremony was attended by the Director of the District Archives in Winnica, Dr Jurij Łehun, the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Vinnytsia Damian Ciarciński and the Director of the "Center of the History of the Vinnytsia " Oleksandr Fedoryszen.

• On 11 April 2019 in Zhytomyr, the official delegation of the Institute of National Remembrance headed by  President Jarosław Szarek Ph.D., visited the State Archives of the Zhytomyr Oblast, where the details of future cooperation were discussed with the Director of the local archive. The Polish delegation also had the opportunity to read the documents produced by the Soviet secret services. The Polish guests were particularly interested in  the large amount of materials on the repression of Polish citizens, mainly the so-called anti-Polish NKVD operation carried out in 1937–1938.

•  On  24-25 January 2019, a representative of the President of the Institute of National Remembrance took part in the 12th Europe - Ukraine Forum in Rzeszów.

• A visit of the delegation of the Institute of National Remembrance to Khmelnytskyi and Kamianets-Podilskyi (Ukraine) - 22-23 November 2018
  On 22 November, representatives of the Institute of National Remembrance visited the National University in Kamianets-Podilskyi, one of the first Ukrainian universities, founded in 1918. The University, which in January 2008 was given a national status, has always been an important center of science and culture in Podolia. During the visit, the President of the IPN, Dr Jarosław Szarek, handed copies of documents from the IPN Archive related to Ivan Ohijenka, the patron of the university- an outstanding theologian and linguist, founder and first rector of the university, to Serhiy Kopylov, the current rector.

• International scientific conference "World War II in Polish-Ukrainian relations - state of research and research perspectives" - Warsaw, 5-6 July
  On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Volynia Massacre, the Institute of National Remembrance organized an international scientific conference "World War II in Polish-Ukrainian relations - state of research and research perspectives" at History Point (ul. Marszałkowska 21/25) in Warsaw. On 5-6 July, 28 historians from Poland and abroad (Ukraine, the USA and Germany) discussed the issue of Polish-Ukrainian relations during World War II

• On 13-14 June 2018, the representatives of the IPN Archive visited Odessa, Ukraine. The main purpose of the visit was to provide equipment for the digitization of materials related to the Polish NKVD operation in 1937-1938, stored in the Odessa Archives, as well as to train employees in making electronic copies of documents. During the meetings with the Director of the Regional Archive, Lilia Bilousova, the details of further cooperation, including the preparation of a joint exhibition and publication, were discussed.

• A meeting of the Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Prof. Krzysztof Szwagrzyk and the President of the Ukrainian World Congress Eugene Czolij; Warsaw 5 June 2018
  During the meeting, the participants touched upon topics related to extending the scope of  existing Polish-Ukrainian archival and historical cooperation, the activities of the Ukrainian World Congress, as well as issues related to Polish and Ukrainian memorial sites. The Ukrainian side further expressed their gratitude for allowing specialists from Ukraine to participate in the archaeological work which was carried out last month at the municipal cemetery in Hruszowice.

• On 22 May 2018 in Kiev,  a promotion of the publication  „Organizacja Ukraińskich Nacjonalistów w Polsce w latach 1944–1950. Likwidacja struktur kierowniczych”  [The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists in Poland in 1944–1950. Liquidation of managerial structures" ], This is the 9th volume of the series" Poland and Ukraine in the 1930s and 1940s. Unknown documents from the archives of secret services ". The source publication was created in cooperation with the Institute of National Remembrance, the (HDA SBU) and the Institute of Political and National Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

• On 16-19 April  2018, a delegation of representatives of the IPN Archive visited Khmelnytsky and Vinnitsa, Ukraine. The main purpose of the visit was to provide equipment for the digitization of materials related to the Polish NKVD operation in 1937-1938, stored in Ukrainian archives, and to train employees in making electronic copies of documents. During the meetings with the Directors of the Regional Archives, Volodymyr Bajdycz Ph.D.,and dr. Jury Łehun, details of further cooperation, including the preparation of a joint exhibition and publication were discussed.

• The Institute of National Remembrance concluded an agreement with the State Regional Archives - in Odessa, Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi in Ukraine. The agreements provide for access for Polish archivists to thousands of documents regarding the NKVD crimes committed on Poles in 1937-38 in the Soviet Union.
  On 26 March 2018, the Institute of National Remembrance concluded an agreement with the State Regional Archives - in Odessa, Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi in Ukraine. The agreements provided the IPN’s archivists access to thousands of documents regarding the NKVD crimes committed on Poles in 1937-38 in the Soviet Union. 

• 28-29 October 2017 at the invitation of the Polish House in Bar and the Bar District Cultural and Educational Association of Poles, a delegation of the Institute of National Remembrance headed by the Deputy Directors of the IPN Archive, took part in the conference  the "Vinnytsia Massacre on the 80th anniversary of the tragic events" in Bar. The conference was preceded by a ceremonial unveiling and blessing of the monument to the victims of Stalinist repression at the Catholic cemetery in Bar.The ceremony was attended, among others, by Maciej Łuczak, Senator of the Republic of Poland, representatives of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Vinnytsia and representatives of the Polish minority. At the conference, Mariusz Żuławnik Ph.D. read out a letter written by the President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Jarosław Szarek Ph.D., to the participants. The conference was accompanied by an exhibition devoted to the Vinnytsia Massacre, which was part of the Polish NKVD operation in 1937–1938.

• The 5th meeting of the Polish-Ukrainian Forum of Historians took place on 19-21 October 2017 in Cherkassy, Ukraine. This time, the participants of the meeting discussed the issues related to the Chełm region / Eastern Lublin region in the years 1942–1944.

• On 28 September 2017, at the seat of the Institute of National Remembrance in Warsaw, the President of the IPN Jarosław Szarek PH.D., hosted the Director of the State Archives of the Vinnytsia Region - Jurij Łehun. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss future cooperation between the institutions.

• On 11 September 2017, at the invitation of the Director of the State Archives of the Khmelnytsky Oblast, Volodymyr Bajdycz, a delegation from the Institute of National Remembrance visited Khmelnytsky. While visiting the Archives, the delegation had the opportunity to see documents produced by the Soviet secret services from the 1920s to the 1950s. During the talks, representatives of both institutions agreed that an international project would be created to digitize documents relating to the repression faced by Poles living in western Ukraine. Both sides also declared their willingness to cooperate in future joint publications. The details of the cooperation agreement between the two institutions were agreed. In addition, the Ukrainians presented a proposal of the funding of a plaque  devoted to Poles - victims of Soviet terror during the anti-Polish operation.
 

Polish-Ukrainian working group

One of the forms of cooperation with Ukraine is also the functioning of the Polish-Ukrainian working group aimed at expanding knowledge about the tragic fate of Poles in the years 1939–1956, in the former USSR. The ongoing works focus primarily on the jointly published series “Poland and Ukraine in the 1930s and 1940s. Documents from the Archives of the Secret Services”.

Here are some of the effects of the working group’s bilateral publications:

 

The President of the Institute of National Remembrance is a member of the Polish-Ukrainian Partnership Forum established on 23 January 2017, by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The main objectives of the Partnership Forum are to discuss the sensitive issues of Polish – Ukrainian relations emphasizing the importance of scientific discussion of current problems and the necessity of finding common solutions.

The IPN’ s representatives also attend the annual meetings of the Europe-Ukraine Forum – one of the most important conferences dedicated to Ukraine. The intention of its organizers – the Center for East European Studies – was to create a platform for civil dialogue and cooperation between Poles and Ukrainians. The forum is also a consultative and advisory body. It is a meeting place for representatives of politics, business, local governments, international organizations and analytical centers from many countries.

https://ipn.gov.pl/en/news/901,The-10th-Europe-Ukraine-Forum.html

 

We recommend the IPN's publications on Polish - Ukrainian relations: