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'''Proclamation of Ukrainian Statehood''' '''Proclamation of Ukrainian Statehood'''


On June 22, 1941 ] attacked the ]. At 29 June, 1941 at night, in abandoned by Soviet troops city ] entered ]. ] troops entered into the city only at morning Monday June 30, 1941<ref> ''Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army'' Chapter 1 </ref>. On Monday June 30, 1941 after the German troops occupied ], a meeting was held in Lviv where members of the ] proclaimed Ukrainian independence. The proclamation, despite reflecting the aspirations of the Ukrainian people, did not reflect the views of the German regime and was quashed within a few days and the interim Ukrainian administration was arrested.{{Facts|date=August 2008}} On Sunday June 22, 1941 ] attacked the ]. By Monday June 30, 1941 after the German troops occupied ] 60 kilometres from the border. On that same day a meeting was held in Lviv where members of the ] proclaimed Ukrainian independence.

==Nazi’s plans about “Ukrainian state” ==
Hitler on September 7 , 1939 mentioned to his army Commander in Chief, General von
], the possibility of founding an independent Ukraine. Hitler’s notion was to mark the ultimate frontier between Asia and the West by gathering together the racial German remnants scattered about the Balkans, Russia, and the Baltic states to populate an eastern frontier strip along either the River Bug or the Vistula. With this independent rump Poland, Hitler planned to negotiate a peace settlement that had some semblance of legality and thereby spike the guns of Britain and France. If however this rump Poland fell apart, the Vilna area could be offered to Lithuania, and the Galician and Polish Ukraine could be granted independence – in which case, as Canaris noted, Keitel’s instructions were that his ] were to provoke an uprising in the Galician Ukraine with the destruction of the Polish and Jewish element as its aim. <ref> Martin Broszat’s Nationalsozialistische Polenpolitik 1939–1945 (Stuttgart, 1961). IMT vol 3. p. 21 http://www.holocaust-history.org/works/imt/03/htm/t021.htm IMT vol 2. p. 448 and 478 http://www.holocaust-history.org/works/imt/02/htm/t478.htm http://www.holocaust-history.org/works/imt/02/htm/t448.htm </ref> Bandera’s ] had at least 2 unsuccessfully attempts to start an uprising in 1940 supported by ]. Due the fault of both such plan was postponed to the time of German invasion.

<ref> [http://history.org.ua/oun_upa/oun/index.htm ''Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army'' Chapter 1 p.17-30</ref>.

] finally abandoned an idea about founding an independent Ukraine by mid of September 1941, when German troops penetrated soviet defence of Kiev's Citadel. <ref> V.Kosyk Ukraine and Germany in WWII. 1993" </ref>

==Nazi plans for a “Ukrainian state” as presented in testimony at the ] ==

*Memorandum dated 8 May 1941, entitled “General Instructions for all Reich Commissioners in the Occupied Eastern Territories”.
In these instructions to his chief henchmen ] outlines the political aims and purposes of the attack. …. The Ukraine shall become an independent state in alliance with Germany… <ref> Exhibit USA-144 (Document 1030-PS) IMT Vol III p.356 </ref>

*In report submitted by Rosenberg to Hitler on 28 June 1941 noted what Rosenberg met with Admiral ] and had a talk to choose certain persons, who would also able to do political work…. Admiral ] had organized certain group of Ukrainians. <ref> Document 1039-PS IMT Vol XI p. 567 </ref>


This proclamation, despite reflecting the aspirations of the Ukrainian people, did not however reflect the views of the German regime and was quashed within a few days and the interim Ukrainian administration was arrested<ref>''The Restoration of the Ukrainian State in World War II''. Published by Ukrainian Central Information Service, London 1987. ISBN 0-902322-35-4. John Alexander Armstrong, ''Ukrainian Nationalism'', ], 1963.</ref>.
*From Rosenberg speech June 20 1941 Germany aims is the freedom of the Ukrainian people… Ukrainian State can be formed <ref> IMT Vol XI p. 478 </ref>


]) 10 days after its proclamation.]]
*Rosenberg continues that certain independence movements in the Ukraine deserved support as well.” <ref> Document L-221 Exhibit USA-147 IMT Vol XI p. 481</ref>


==Preamble== ==Preamble==


] in his memoires states: In his memoires ] states:


On Monday June 30, at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the ] building in ] (Rynok square 10) there was a community meeting. Community members of the Lviv and its environs, clergy, leading members of OUN, and members of the Ukrainian underground. The all was overflowing with delegates. The meeting was called by the first assistant to the leader of the OUN ] to honour the Ukrainian fighters who had laid down their lives fighting for Ukraine. In an intensive speech he spoke about the political situation which Ukraine was in with the declaration of war, stating that once again this war will take place in Ukraine over these rich lands and that the Ukrainian people cannot stand idly by but must be active and participate. Regarding Germany he stated that a Union with Germany was only possible if Germany recognized Ukrainian independence and its government. Stetsko read out the Proclamation of Ukrainian independence. Those present listened to the proclamation standing, unanimously endorsed it and sang the ] "Shche ne vmerla Ukraina".<ref>(In Ukrainian: Ukrainska Povstanska Armiya - Istoriya Neskorenykh - Lviv, 2007 p.29</ref> On Monday June 30, at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the ] building in ] (Rynok square 10) there was a community meeting. Community members living in Lviv and its environs, clergy, leading members of OUN, and members of the Ukrainian underground were gathered. The hall was overflowing with delegates. The meeting was called by the first assistant to the leader of the OUN ] to honour the Ukrainian fighters who had laid down their lives fighting for Ukraine. In an intensive speech, he spoke about the political situation which Ukraine was in with the declaration of war, stating that once again this war will take place in Ukraine over these rich lands and that the Ukrainian people cannot stand idly by but must be active and participate. Regarding Germany, he stated that a Union with Germany was only possible if Germany recognized Ukrainian independence and its government. Stetsko read out the Proclamation of Ukrainian independence. Those present listened to the proclamation standing, unanimously endorsed it and sang the ] "Shche ne vmerla Ukraina".<ref>(In Ukrainian: Ukrainska Povstanska Armiya - Istoriya Neskorenykh - Lviv, 2007 p.29</ref>


==Text== ==Text==
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1. By the will of the Ukrainian people, the ] under the direction of ] proclaims the formation of the Ukrainian State for which have laid down their heads whole generations of the finest sons of Ukraine. 1. By the will of the Ukrainian people, the ] under the direction of ] proclaims the formation of the Ukrainian State for which have laid down their heads whole generations of the finest sons of Ukraine.


The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, which under the direction and founder and leader ] has undertaken in the past ten years a bloody battle with the Moscovite-Bolshevik enslavers in an energetic battle for freedom, calls all the Ukrainian people not to place down its weapons until on all Ukrainian lands are united to form a Sovereign Ukrainian Government. The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, which under the direction and founder and leader ] has undertaken in the past ten years a bloody battle with the Moscovite-Bolshevik enslavers in an energetic battle for freedom, calls all the Ukrainian people not to place down its weapons until all Ukrainian lands are united to form a Sovereign Ukrainian Government.


The Sovereign Ukrainian Government will guarantee Ukrainian people order, unilateral development of all its energies and all its needs. The Sovereign Ukrainian Government will guarantee Ukrainian people order, unilateral development of all its energies and all its needs.
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2. In the western lands of Ukraine an Ukrainian Government is formed, which is subordinate to the Ukrainian National Government that will be formed in the capital of ] – ]. 2. In the western lands of Ukraine an Ukrainian Government is formed, which is subordinate to the Ukrainian National Government that will be formed in the capital of ] – ].


3. The newly formed Ukrainian state will work closely with the National-Socialist ], under the leadership of its leader ] which is forming a ] and the world and is helping the Ukrainian People to free itself from ] occupation. 3. The newly formed Ukrainian state will work closely with the National-Socialist Greater Germany, under the leadership of its leader ] which is forming a new order in ] and the world and is helping the Ukrainian People to free itself from ] occupation.


The ] which has been formed on the Ukrainian lands, will continue to fight with the ALLIED GERMAN ARMY against Moscovite occupation for a sovereign and united State and a ]. The ] which has been formed on the Ukrainian lands, will continue to fight with the ALLIED GERMAN ARMY against Moscovite occupation for a sovereign and united State and a new order in the whole world.


Long live the Ukrainian Sovereign United Ukraine! Long live the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists! Long live the leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian people – STEPAN BANDERA<ref>From the front page of the Newspaper "Samostiyna Ukraina" published in Stanislaviv, July 10, 1941</ref>. Long live the Ukrainian Sovereign United Ukraine! Long live the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists! Long live the leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian people – STEPAN BANDERA<ref>From the front page of the Newspaper "Samostiyna Ukraina" published in Stanislaviv, July 10, 1941</ref>.
Line 63: Line 46:
*Minister of External Affairs Volodymyr Stakhiv (]) *Minister of External Affairs Volodymyr Stakhiv (])
*Deputy Minister of External Affairs Oleksandr Maritchak (Ukrainian National-Democratic Party) *Deputy Minister of External Affairs Oleksandr Maritchak (Ukrainian National-Democratic Party)
*Minister of Defence Vsevolod Petriv (Social Revolutionary Party) *Minister of Defense Vsevolod Petriv (Social Revolutionary Party)
*Deputy Minister of Defence ] (]) *Deputy Minister of Defense ] (])
*Deputy Minister of Defence Oleksandr Hasyn (]) *Deputy Minister of Defense Oleksandr Hasyn (])
*Minister of State Security ] (]) *Minister of State Security ] (])
*Minister of Justice Yulian Fedusevych (no political affiliation) *Minister of Justice Yulian Fedusevych (no political affiliation)
Line 85: Line 68:


A Council of Seniors headed by ] as president was also formed.<ref>''The Restoration of the Ukrainian State in World War II''. Published by Ukrainian Central Information Service, London 1987. ISBN 0-902322-35-4.</ref> A Council of Seniors headed by ] as president was also formed.<ref>''The Restoration of the Ukrainian State in World War II''. Published by Ukrainian Central Information Service, London 1987. ISBN 0-902322-35-4.</ref>


==Ukrainian Government in ] and ] reports==
*July 2 1941: Elements from Bandera group under Stetsko and Ravlyk leadership has organized (in ]) militia and municipal governing;
*July 4 1941: So called “Country Government” proclaimed what it should be placed in ] building. It current composition: Governing - ] (Karbovych, Belenda); Health - Marian Panchyshyn (doctor) ; Justice - Yulian Fedusevych (legal adviser);Security – Ivan Klymiv ; Economy -Dmytro Yatsiv ; Information and propaganda - Oleksandr Holovko (poet); Minister of Defence - Rico Yaryy (married on Jewish women); Culture – vacant. Parlament should be near Cabinet; Dmytro Dontsov planed to be proclaimed as president. It (]) does not recognized by Germany, but we should avoid any active action against usurpations, taking into account the situation at front and in region in general. As far as we expect beginning of planned appraisal (at rear of Soviet troops front line) in direction Berdychiv- Zhytomyr-]
*July 17 1941: After proclaiming “National Ukrainian Government” at ] similar actions conducted at other former Polish territories of ], ] and ] cities. When Germans troops coming into the specific area Bandera group immediately begin to organize governing authorities and inspirate meetings for independence. <ref> V.Kosyk Ukraine and Germany in WWII. 1993 p.505-515 </ref>


==Reactions to the proclamation== ==Reactions to the proclamation==


The act of proclamation was soon broadcasted by ] over the radio in ], which made many believe it was supported by the advancing German troops. The act got immediate support from several Ukrainian church officials such as Metropolitan Archbishop ] of the ], Metropolitan Bishop ] of the ] and Bishop ] ]. The act of proclamation was broadcasted by ] over the radio in ], which made many believe it was supported by the advancing German troops. The act received immediate support from several Ukrainian church officials such as Metropolitan Archbishop ] of the ], Metropolitan Bishop ] of the ] and Bishop ] ].


An SS Einsatzgruppe arrived in ] three days after the act of proclamation but waited until July 9 before they went into action and put ] and his deputy ] initially under ''honorary arrest'', but on July 12 they were formally arrested. At the same time ] with several other Ukrainian nationalists were arrested in the ]. They were all assembled to Berlin where the Germans tried to convince them to withdraw the Act of Proclamation unsuccessfully. On September 15 they were dispatched to the ]. At the same time ] arrested hundreds of other Ukrainian nationalists who had participated in the process of restoration of the Ukrainian state.<ref>''The Restoration of the Ukrainian State in World War II''. Published by Ukrainian Central Information Service, London 1987. ISBN 0-902322-35-4. </ref> A German SS Einsatzgruppe arrived in ] three days after the act of proclamation but waited until July 9 before they went into action and put ] and his deputy ] initially under ''honorary arrest'', and on July 12 they were formally arrested. At the same time ] with several other Ukrainian nationalists were arrested in the ]. They were all assembled to Berlin where the Germans tried to convince them to withdraw the Act of Proclamation unsuccessfully. On September 15 they were dispatched to the ]. At the same time ] arrested hundreds of other Ukrainian nationalists who had participated in the process of restoration of the Ukrainian state.<ref>''The Restoration of the Ukrainian State in World War II''. Published by Ukrainian Central Information Service, London 1987. ISBN 0-902322-35-4. John Alexander Armstrong, ''Ukrainian Nationalism'', ], 1963.</ref>


== Post war version of Act == == Post war version of Act ==

Postwar Ukrainian emigration began to downplayed as much as possible the cooperation between the Ukrainian nationalist parties and the Germans and emphasized instead how Ukrainian nationalists fought both the Germans and the Soviets and how the Ukrainian nation suffered enormously at the hands of both. ] group published document collections that doctored historical texts to eliminate pro-German and antisemitic statements ] left his papers to the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. <ref> John-Paul Himka, "War Criminality: A Blank Spot in the Collective Memory of the Ukrainian Diaspora," in Spaces of Identity 5, no. 1 (2005): 9-24. See also Johan Dietsch, Making Sense of Suffering: Holocaust and Holodomor in Ukrainian Historical Culture (Lund: Media Tryck, Lund University, 2006).</ref> The Postwar Ukrainian emigration began to downplayed the initial cooperation between the Ukrainian nationalist parties and the Germans and emphasized instead how Ukrainian nationalists fought both the Germans and the Soviets and how the Ukrainian nation suffered enormously at the hands of both. ] group published document collections that doctored historical texts to eliminate pro-German statements. ] left his papers to the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. <ref> John-Paul Himka, "War Criminality: A Blank Spot in the Collective Memory of the Ukrainian Diaspora," in Spaces of Identity 5, no. 1 (2005): 9-24. See also Johan Dietsch, Making Sense of Suffering: Holocaust and Holodomor in Ukrainian Historical Culture (Lund: Media Tryck, Lund University, 2006).</ref>


'''The Act of Proclamation of Ukrainian State''' '''The Act of Proclamation of Ukrainian State'''


1. By the will of the Ukrainian people, the ] under the direction of ] proclaims the renewal of the Ukrainian State for which have laid down their heads whole generations of the finest sons of Ukraine. 1. By the will of the Ukrainian people, the ] under the direction of ] proclaims the renewal of the Ukrainian State for which have laid down their heads whole generations of the finest sons of Ukraine.
The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, which under the direction of it’s creator and leader ] during the past decade a bloody Moscovite-Bolshevik subjugation carried on stubborn straggle for freedom, calls all the Ukrainian people not to place down its weapons until Sovereign Ukrainian State is formed in all Ukrainian lands. The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, which under the direction of it’s creator and leader ] during the past decade a bloody Moscovite-Bolshevik subjugation carried on stubborn struggle for freedom, calls all the Ukrainian people not to place down its weapons until Sovereign Ukrainian State is formed in all Ukrainian lands.


The Sovereign Ukrainian Government assures the Ukrainian people of regularity and order, multi-sided development of all its forces and satisfaction of it’s demands. The Sovereign Ukrainian Government assures the Ukrainian people of regularity and order, multi-sided development of all its forces and satisfaction of it’s demands.
Line 115: Line 93:
Long live the director of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists – STEPAN BANDERA. Long live the director of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists – STEPAN BANDERA.


* Text appeared at John Armstrong, Ukrainian Nationalism, 2nd edition: New York: Columbia University Press, 1963) pp.79-80 * Text appeared at John Armstrong, Ukrainian Nationalism, 2nd edition: New York: Columbia University Press, 1963) pp.79-80


==Notes== ==Notes==


*1) There seem to be a number of versions of the Proclamation which differ slightly in text. *1) There are a number of versions of the Proclamation, published at the same time, each with textual differences.
*2) Section 3 is often omitted in publications by the Ukrainian Diaspora dealing with this subject. *2) Section 3 of the Stanislaviv version is often omitted in Ukrainian Diaspora publications dealing with this subject.
*3) In many Ukrainian diaspora publications the word "formation" is often changed to "re-establishment" *3) In many Ukrainian diaspora publications the word "formation" is often changed to "re-establishment".


==Sources== ==Sources==

Revision as of 12:19, 31 August 2008

Proclamation of Ukrainian Statehood

On Sunday June 22, 1941 Nazi Germany attacked the Soviet Union. By Monday June 30, 1941 after the German troops occupied Lviv 60 kilometres from the border. On that same day a meeting was held in Lviv where members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists proclaimed Ukrainian independence.

This proclamation, despite reflecting the aspirations of the Ukrainian people, did not however reflect the views of the German regime and was quashed within a few days and the interim Ukrainian administration was arrested.

Version of the “Act of Proclamation of Ukrainian State” published in Stanislaviv (now Ivano-Frankivsk) 10 days after its proclamation.

Preamble

In his memoires Vasyl Kuk states:

On Monday June 30, at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Prosvita building in Lviv (Rynok square 10) there was a community meeting. Community members living in Lviv and its environs, clergy, leading members of OUN, and members of the Ukrainian underground were gathered. The hall was overflowing with delegates. The meeting was called by the first assistant to the leader of the OUN Yaroslav Stetsko to honour the Ukrainian fighters who had laid down their lives fighting for Ukraine. In an intensive speech, he spoke about the political situation which Ukraine was in with the declaration of war, stating that once again this war will take place in Ukraine over these rich lands and that the Ukrainian people cannot stand idly by but must be active and participate. Regarding Germany, he stated that a Union with Germany was only possible if Germany recognized Ukrainian independence and its government. Stetsko read out the Proclamation of Ukrainian independence. Those present listened to the proclamation standing, unanimously endorsed it and sang the Ukrainian national anthem "Shche ne vmerla Ukraina".

Text

The Act of Proclamation of Ukrainian Statehood

1. By the will of the Ukrainian people, the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists under the direction of Stepan BANDERA proclaims the formation of the Ukrainian State for which have laid down their heads whole generations of the finest sons of Ukraine.

The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, which under the direction and founder and leader Yevhen KONOVALETS has undertaken in the past ten years a bloody battle with the Moscovite-Bolshevik enslavers in an energetic battle for freedom, calls all the Ukrainian people not to place down its weapons until all Ukrainian lands are united to form a Sovereign Ukrainian Government.

The Sovereign Ukrainian Government will guarantee Ukrainian people order, unilateral development of all its energies and all its needs.

2. In the western lands of Ukraine an Ukrainian Government is formed, which is subordinate to the Ukrainian National Government that will be formed in the capital of Ukraine – Kyiv.

3. The newly formed Ukrainian state will work closely with the National-Socialist Greater Germany, under the leadership of its leader Adolf HITLER which is forming a new order in Europe and the world and is helping the Ukrainian People to free itself from Moscovite occupation.

The Ukrainian National Revolutionary Army which has been formed on the Ukrainian lands, will continue to fight with the ALLIED GERMAN ARMY against Moscovite occupation for a sovereign and united State and a new order in the whole world.

Long live the Ukrainian Sovereign United Ukraine! Long live the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists! Long live the leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian people – STEPAN BANDERA.

GLORY TO UKRAINE!

Provisional Government

State seal of the provisional government of the Ukrainian state 1941.

After the proclamation of the Ukrainian independence the Ukrainian state had been restored and a provisional government was formed with the following composition:

  • Prime Minister Yaroslav Stetsko (OUN)
  • Deputy Prime Minister Marian Panchyshyn (no political affiliation)
  • Deputy Prime Minister Lev Rebet (OUN)
  • Minister of Interior Volodymyr Lysyi (Socialist Radical Party)
  • Deputy Minister of Interior Konstantyn Pankivsky (Socialist Radical Party)
  • Minister of External Affairs Volodymyr Stakhiv (OUN)
  • Deputy Minister of External Affairs Oleksandr Maritchak (Ukrainian National-Democratic Party)
  • Minister of Defense Vsevolod Petriv (Social Revolutionary Party)
  • Deputy Minister of Defense Roman Shukhevych (OUN)
  • Deputy Minister of Defense Oleksandr Hasyn (OUN)
  • Minister of State Security Mykola Lebed (OUN)
  • Minister of Justice Yulian Fedusevych (no political affiliation)
  • Deputy Minister of Justice Bohdan Dzerovych (no political affiliation)
  • Secretary of the Ministry of National Economy Dmytro Yatsiv (OUN)
  • Secretary of the Ministry of National Economy Roman Ilnytsky (OUN)
  • Minister of Agriculture Yevhen Khraplyvy (Ukrainian National-Democratic Party)
  • Deputy Minister of Agriculture Andriy Piasetsky (Front of National Unity)
  • Minister of Health Marian Panchyshyn (no political affiliation)
  • Deputy Minister of Health Roman Osinchuk
  • Secretary of the Ministry of Health Oleksandr Barvinsky (no political affiliation)
  • Minister of Education Volodymyr Radzykevych (no political affiliation)
  • Minister of Communication N. Moroz (no political affiliation)
  • Minister of Information Oleksandr Hai-Holovko (no political affiliation)
  • Secretary of the Ministry of Information Osyp Pozychaniuk (OUN)
  • Secretary of the Ministry of Information Yaroslav Starukh (OUN)
  • Minister of Political Coordination Ivan Klymiv-Lehenda (OUN)
  • Director of Government Administration Mykhailo Rosliak (Socialist Radical Party)

A Council of Seniors headed by Konstantyn Levytsky as president was also formed.

Reactions to the proclamation

The act of proclamation was broadcasted by Yaroslav Stetsko over the radio in Lviv, which made many believe it was supported by the advancing German troops. The act received immediate support from several Ukrainian church officials such as Metropolitan Archbishop Andrey Sheptytsky of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Metropolitan Bishop Polikarp Sikorsky of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and Bishop Hryhoriy Khomyshyn Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

A German SS Einsatzgruppe arrived in Lviv three days after the act of proclamation but waited until July 9 before they went into action and put Yaroslav Stetsko and his deputy Lev Rebet initially under honorary arrest, and on July 12 they were formally arrested. At the same time Stepan Bandera with several other Ukrainian nationalists were arrested in the General Government. They were all assembled to Berlin where the Germans tried to convince them to withdraw the Act of Proclamation unsuccessfully. On September 15 they were dispatched to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. At the same time Gestapo arrested hundreds of other Ukrainian nationalists who had participated in the process of restoration of the Ukrainian state.

Post war version of Act

The Postwar Ukrainian emigration began to downplayed the initial cooperation between the Ukrainian nationalist parties and the Germans and emphasized instead how Ukrainian nationalists fought both the Germans and the Soviets and how the Ukrainian nation suffered enormously at the hands of both. Lebed's group published document collections that doctored historical texts to eliminate pro-German statements. Lebed's left his papers to the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute.

The Act of Proclamation of Ukrainian State

1. By the will of the Ukrainian people, the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists under the direction of Stepan BANDERA proclaims the renewal of the Ukrainian State for which have laid down their heads whole generations of the finest sons of Ukraine. The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, which under the direction of it’s creator and leader Yevhen KONOVALETS during the past decade a bloody Moscovite-Bolshevik subjugation carried on stubborn struggle for freedom, calls all the Ukrainian people not to place down its weapons until Sovereign Ukrainian State is formed in all Ukrainian lands.

The Sovereign Ukrainian Government assures the Ukrainian people of regularity and order, multi-sided development of all its forces and satisfaction of it’s demands.

2. In the western lands of Ukraine a Ukrainian Government is created, which is subordinate to the Ukrainian national administration that will be created in the capital of Ukraine – Kyiv.

3. The Ukrainian National Revolutionary Army which is being created on the Ukrainian soil, will continue to fight against Moscovite occupation for the sovereign and united State and a new, just order in the whole world. Long live the Ukrainian Sovereign United Ukraine! Long live the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists!

Long live the director of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists – STEPAN BANDERA.

  • Text appeared at John Armstrong, Ukrainian Nationalism, 2nd edition: New York: Columbia University Press, 1963) pp.79-80

Notes

  • 1) There are a number of versions of the Proclamation, published at the same time, each with textual differences.
  • 2) Section 3 of the Stanislaviv version is often omitted in Ukrainian Diaspora publications dealing with this subject.
  • 3) In many Ukrainian diaspora publications the word "formation" is often changed to "re-establishment".

Sources

  1. The Restoration of the Ukrainian State in World War II. Published by Ukrainian Central Information Service, London 1987. ISBN 0-902322-35-4. John Alexander Armstrong, Ukrainian Nationalism, Columbia University Press, 1963.
  2. (In Ukrainian: Ukrainska Povstanska Armiya - Istoriya Neskorenykh - Lviv, 2007 p.29
  3. From the front page of the Newspaper "Samostiyna Ukraina" published in Stanislaviv, July 10, 1941
  4. The Restoration of the Ukrainian State in World War II. Published by Ukrainian Central Information Service, London 1987. ISBN 0-902322-35-4.
  5. The Restoration of the Ukrainian State in World War II. Published by Ukrainian Central Information Service, London 1987. ISBN 0-902322-35-4. John Alexander Armstrong, Ukrainian Nationalism, Columbia University Press, 1963.
  6. John-Paul Himka, "War Criminality: A Blank Spot in the Collective Memory of the Ukrainian Diaspora," in Spaces of Identity 5, no. 1 (2005): 9-24. See also Johan Dietsch, Making Sense of Suffering: Holocaust and Holodomor in Ukrainian Historical Culture (Lund: Media Tryck, Lund University, 2006).
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