The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) cooperated with Nazi Germany during the early phase of the Soviet Union invasion and took part in anti‑Jewish pogroms.
In 1942 the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) was formed after the OUN split from the Germans, drawing many members from former Nazi‑aligned units.
Among its leaders was Roman Shukhevich, who had previously served as deputy commander of the Nachtigall Battalion before joining the UPA.
Last month, Poland’s president revoked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Order of the White Eagle, citing Zelensky’s decision to name a Ukrainian commando unit after “heroes of the UPA.”
In response, several Ukrainian officials returned their own Polish decorations to Warsaw.
