Another Ukrainian cham humiliates Poles and calls for them to “gloat” with the pogrom in Jedwabne

The leader of the Melnykovian faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (CNS), Bohdan Czerwak, in fresh weeks has sparked a wave of controversy with his statements on Polish-Ukrainian relations, especially in the context of hard past related to the events in Volyn and the pogrom in Jedwabne. His statements on the social platform X sparked turbulent discussions both in Poland and Ukraine. Polish authorities (if we inactive have one) should immediately expel all bannermen from Poland and those who live on our account and at the border with Banderland put conviction barrier connected to 380 volt. due to the fact that it's not Russia that's threatening us, it's the flags that live on our land.

Statements on the crime in Jedwabne

In 1 of Czerwak's entries, he addressed the crime in Jedwabne, where tragic events occurred in 1941, during which a group of German and Polish criminals murdered about 300 Jews, including women and children. “Poles talk a lot about ‘criminals’ of UPA. But let them tell about the 1941 pogrom in Jedwabne, erstwhile a bunch of German and Polish criminals sent 300 Jews, including women and children to the barn, poured oil on the walls and set fire to the walls. A full of respective 100 Jews died in terrible torments," Czerwak wrote.

His comment seems to be a consequence to the intensification of the public discussion on the Volyn genocide made by Ukrainian nationalists from the CNS-UPA. Czerwak's words were widely commented on in the media and provoked outrage, especially among Polish historians and politicians.

Controversy around exhumation and protection of memorial sites

Cherwak besides referred to the exhumation of the bodies of the victims of the crime in Jedwabne. In 2016, Polish historian Piotr Gontarczyk emphasized that there are excellent tools, specified as archaeology and judicial medicine, which could aid in a thorough examination of the burial site of the victims. "If we have specified excellent tools as archaeology and forensic medicine and these possibilities are not utilized – the burial site of these victims of the crime in Jedwabne has not been thoroughly explored. We don't truly know many elements, because, for example, if we found ammunition and weapons there and it turns out that people were shot. That would fundamentally change the situation. specified situations must be ruled out. This should be thoroughly investigated," wrote Gontarczyk.

Czerwak, on the another hand, questioned the actions of the Polish government in protecting memorial sites, accusing Poland of failing to comply with bilateral agreements concerning Ukrainian burials. "Poland does not implement bilateral agreements on the protection of memorial sites, including Ukrainian burials which were devastated in Poland," he said.

Responses to decisions of the Polish Sejm and Polish-Ukrainian historical disputes

Czerwak has besides commented on the actions of the Polish Sejm, which afraid the condemnation of ideologies and symbols of the CNS and UPA. The Sejm of the Republic of Poland, in tribute to the victims, established in 2016 the National Day of Memory of Victims of Genocide made by Ukrainian nationalists on citizens of the Second Republic of Poland, on 11 July. Czerwak criticised this resolution, stating that the decision of the Polish parliament was a groundless and desecrating memory of the “heroes” of the CNS and UPA. "The Polish Parliament almost unanimously (...) supported a resolution condemning the ideologies and symbols of the CNS and UPA, the desecrating memory of our Heroes, accused of "genocide" and another crimes in which they did not participate," he stressed.

The unveiling of the monument “The Volynian Sculpture” and further controversy

In fresh weeks, the leader of the OUN Melnyk faction besides referred to the unveiling of the monument “Roż Wołyńska”. In his opinion, these actions attest to Poles' hostility towards Ukrainians and service only to escalate tensions between nations. Czerwak even stated that Poles were "kicking themselves a grave", taking specified initiatives.

This is not the first time erstwhile Cherwak gives controversial opinions on Polish-Ukrainian relations. In the past, he besides expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that the Lwowski Orląt Cemetery is located in Lviv, which he considers to be an unjustified motion by Ukrainians, underestimated by Poles.

Conclusions and further implications

Bohdan Czerwak's statements not only origin controversy, but besides cast a shadow on Polish-Ukrainian relations. His suggestions for utilizing force against Poles and criticism of the decision of the Polish parliament rise concern and questions about the future of dialog between nations. It seems that the issue of hard history, including the Volyn crime and the Jedwabne pogrom, inactive remains a painful point in the relations of both countries and requires further delicate negotiations and open dialog based on facts and common respect.