Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Alfyorov has urged that the memory of the Volhynia tragedy be kept free from political manipulation, according to a statement reported on July 12, 2026. The Volhynia tragedy refers to the 1943-1944 ethnic cleansing of Poles by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.
Alfyorov, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, emphasized the need for a factual and respectful commemoration that does not serve contemporary political agendas. He stressed that historical events should be studied objectively to promote reconciliation between Poland and Ukraine.
The call comes amid ongoing tensions between the two nations over differing historical narratives. Poland has officially recognized the events as genocide, while Ukraine views them as part of a complex conflict involving both Polish and Ukrainian victims. Alfyorov's statement aligns with efforts to separate historical analysis from current political disputes.
