---
title: "Reburial of Bandera: What is known about the large-scale operation by the UINP"
description: "The head of the UINP, Oleksandr Alfyorov, confirmed that Ukraine is preparing a large-scale operation to reburial hundreds of historical figures, including Stepan Bandera 🇺🇦🕊️. The process has already begun: permission has been obtained to return the remains of Yevhen Konovalets from the Netherlands, and Andriy Melnyk has already been reburied at the NMCC. Returning heroes to their homeland is a complex interagency task that requires coordination with the MFA, the Office of the President, and public organizations."
date: 2026-05-27T13:15:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/reburial-of-bandera-what-is-known-about-the-large-scale-operation-by-the-uinp
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Reburial of Bandera: What is known about the large-scale operation by the UINP

![Head of the UINP Oleksandr Alfyorov in military uniform during an interview about the reburial of historical figures](https://xab.info/media/2026/05/27/perepohoron-bandery-shcho-vdomo-pro-masshtabnu-operaciyu-uinp/oleksandr-alfyrov-uinp.webp)

Ukraine has launched a large-scale effort to return the remains of prominent historical figures to their homeland. According to the latest data, several hundred individuals are currently being processed, whose graves are located abroad or require reburial in accordance with new standards of national memory.

This was announced by the head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, Oleksandr Alfyorov, during an address on the TV marathon. The expert emphasized that among the priority cases being considered at the highest level is the issue of the reburial of Stepan Bandera – the leader of the revolutionary wing of the OUN.

### Interagency Coordination

Alfyorov noted that such a large-scale operation requires flawless synchronization of efforts by state bodies. To successfully complete the task, it is necessary to involve the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UINP, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Veterans, the State Border Guard Service, as well as public organizations and the descendants of the deceased.

"This reburial must have a high institutional capacity to unite all the aforementioned structures," the head of the institute emphasized.

Work is being carried out in a complex legal field, which includes compliance with Ukrainian legislation, norms of international law, and regulations of the countries where the remains are currently located. This applies to both border crossings and procedural aspects of exhumation and transportation.

### First steps have already been taken

The process of returning heroes has already gained momentum. In particular, Ukraine has received official permission for the reburial of Yevhen Konovalets – a colonel of the UNR Army, commander of the Sich Riflemen, and the first head of the OUN. His remains rest at the Kruisweg cemetery in Rotterdam (Netherlands).

Another important stage was the reburial of Andriy Melnyk and his wife, which took place on May 25 at the National Military Memorial Cemetery. This event became the first step in the systematic return of Ukrainian fighters for independence buried abroad.

It is also worth noting that recently the Verkhovna Rada adopted a decision allowing military personnel with criminal records to be buried at the National Memorial Cemetery, which expands the possibilities for honoring all who fought for Ukraine.