Polish President submits bill to criminalize denial of Volyn massacre

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has submitted a bill aimed at criminalizing the denial of the 1943–45 Volyn massacre and banning Ukrainian nationalist symbols associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). The bill equates these symbols with Nazi and Communist symbols.

The Volyn massacre refers to the killings of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists during the years 1943 to 1945. This historical event remains contentious, with Poland officially recognizing it as genocide. However, some Ukrainian historians and groups contend that the scale and intent of the violence are exaggerated, highlighting the mutual violence that occurred during the chaos of wartime.

The differing narratives surrounding the Volyn massacre continue to strain Polish-Ukrainian relations, complicating reconciliation efforts between the two nations.

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