On July 11, events commemorating the 83rd anniversary of the Volhynian tragedy will take place in Volhynia. A high-ranking Polish official — Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz — will join the remembrance of the victims.
Visit to Volhynia: Memory and Truth
On Saturday, July 11, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will visit the Volyn region, where he will participate in memorial events dedicated to those who perished during World War II events. As reported by RBC-Ukraine citing the minister's statement on social network X, the ceremonies have been organized for many years by the Bishop of Lutsk, Vitaliy Skomarovskyi.
"Our thoughts and prayers will be with all those who died simply because they were Polish," emphasized Kosiniak-Kamysz. At the same time, he added that the memory of the tragedy should be based not on revenge, but on truth: "The victims call not for revenge, but for memory and truth".
Polish Bill and Kyiv's Reaction
Against the backdrop of these events, the first reading of a presidential bill was held in the Polish Sejm, providing for amendments to the law on the Institute of National Remembrance and the Criminal Code. The document, in particular, introduces criminal liability for the public promotion of the ideology of the OUN and UPA.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on the Polish side to refrain from steps that could exacerbate bilateral relations. The department emphasized that historical issues should be resolved through professional dialogue and mutual respect, taking into account the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland.
Warning from the Head of the OPU
Earlier, the head of the Operational Management of Intelligence (OPU) Kyrylo Budanov warned in an interview with RBC-Ukraine that Poland is preparing a number of "immature escalatory steps". This statement adds tension in the context of the upcoming memorial events and discussed legislative initiatives.
Thus, the visit of the Polish Minister of Defense to Volhynia becomes not only an act of memory, but also a symbol of the complex dialogue between the two countries, where historical truth meets political challenges.
