**Exhumation of Polish Victims of Volyn Massacres Begins in Western Ukraine**
A team of researchers from Poland and Ukraine has started exhuming the remains of Polish victims of the World War II-era Volyn massacres, which took place in what is now western Ukraine. The exhumations began on April 24 at a site near the destroyed village of Puzhnyky (Puzniki in Polish) in Ternopil Oblast.
The Volyn massacres, which peaked between 1943 and 1944, were a tragic chapter in the history of Poland and Ukraine. Members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) killed tens of thousands of Poles, while thousands of Ukrainians were killed in retaliation. The massacres continue to strain relations between the two countries to this day.
The research team includes experts from the Freedom and Democracy Foundation, the Pomeranian Medical University, and the Institute of National Remembrance from Poland, as well as Ukrainian researchers from the Society of Volyn Antiquities. Their goal is to identify the victims and ensure dignified burial.
This is the first exhumation since 2017, when Ukraine imposed a moratorium in response to the destruction of UPA memorials in Poland. The Polish government has made efforts to resolve this issue, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk announcing a “breakthrough” in January. If not resolved, Warsaw would block Ukraine’s entry into the EU and NATO.
**Background and Context**
The Volyn massacres were a brutal episode in World War II history, when UPA members killed tens of thousands of Poles in what is now western Ukraine. The atrocities have had a lasting impact on Polish-Ukrainian relations, with many Poles viewing the massacres as a stain on Ukrainian history.
In recent years, there have been efforts to resolve this issue, but tensions remain high. In January, Prime Minister Tusk announced a breakthrough in negotiations between Poland and Ukraine, but progress has since stalled.
**International Implications**
The exhumation of Polish victims is not only significant for the countries involved but also carries international implications. The EU and NATO have been keen to resolve this issue, as it affects their relations with both Poland and Ukraine.
Multiple government officials in Poland have warned that if this matter is not resolved, Warsaw would block Ukraine’s entry into the EU and NATO. This has raised tensions between the two countries, which may impact international cooperation.
**Other Developments**
In other news, Ukrainian forces downed 64 drones and 48 missiles launched by Russian forces over the past week. The strikes targeted various parts of Ukraine, causing significant damage and casualties.
The US administration has also been engaged in efforts to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. However, their proposals have faced criticism from both sides, with Kyiv residents expressing concerns about the US proposal to de facto recognize Russia’s control over occupied Ukrainian territories.
As tensions remain high, it remains to be seen whether this exhumation will bring closure for the Polish victims and their families or if the complex web of international relations will continue to hinder progress.
