JTA:
Ukraine commemorates controversial wartime leader
Some 100,000 Ukrainians took part in state-sanctioned ceremonies commemorating a World War II-era Ukrainian military leader, alarming local Jews.
Several high-profile events marked the 100th birthday of Gen. Roman Shukhevych, who fought in the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, or UPA, alongside occupying German forces during World War II.
Left-wing organizations and some representatives of the Jewish community staged a protest rally outside Kiev’s House of Officers during one of the memorial events Saturday.
At a meeting with UPA veterans at a prestigious Kiev meeting hall, Vyacheslav Kirilenko, a leader of the party of Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko, repeated Yuschenko's promise to urge Ukraine's parliament to recognize Shukhevych and the UPA as freedom fighters for Ukrainian independence.
Already, eight Ukrainian regional councils have agreed to recognize UPA veterans and accord them the social benefits currently given to Red Army veterans who fought against the Nazis.
Neither Yuschenko nor any high-ranking members of his administration participated in the weekend ceremonies honoring Shukhevych. [link]
posted by: jrtelegraph
My father is half Ukrainian and was born in Kaluga. His father (my grandpa) is Russian, while his mom (my grandma) is Ukrainian. My grand dad fought as a fighter pilot and after being shot down over Crimea remained to live in Ukraine.
What’s happening in Ukraine is an aggressive pro-Nazi propaganda and radicalization of the youth, just as it has been happening in the Baltic states, especially Estonia where Soviet graves and monuments are routinely disgraced and destroyed, Waffen SS rallies are held by the government official with official protection of the police, and where NATO holds yearly “Erna” war games in a commemoration of Hitlers attack on Soviet Union. It is the BIGGEST NATO held war game.
That’s right, NATO countries like Canada, UK and USA openly celebrate the invasion of Soviet Union and the slaughter of tens of millions by Hitler.
All of this is done to radicalize the youth against Russia and to simply aggravate Russian people, even though the Red Army of the Soviet Union was comprised from people of all ALL nationalities of the Union, and not just by Russians. The current “radicals” are in fact the ones that fought on the Nazis side and were actively committing ethnic cleansing operations. Chechens by the way also fought along side with Nazis.
It’s that simple, Google search on the current anti-Russian states of the post-Soviet Union will immediately reveal that in WWII they fought for the Nazis or collaborated with them, and not only on the Eastern front, but also on the Western.
It is a shame that Nazi atrocities, and the atrocities carried out by their collaborators are used to this day to hurt humanity.
Radicalization of the post-Soviet era break away republics is simply a tool, just like radicalization of Islam.
For example REAL Ukrainians remember Babi Yar, where over 300 thousand Ukrainian women and children were slaughtered by Nazi SS units which also included the so called Bandera “freedom fighters” that routinely slaughtered their own people.
They were nothing more then BANDITS, and the fact that they are glorified and given official recognition by Ukrainian government would be the same as Israeli prime minister officially awarding Joseph Goebbels a prize for outstanding journalism, and putting his face on a stamp and a coin. It’s really that insane, but hey, what ever works to demonize Russia into a blood thirsty bear.
SHAME!
Posted by: Xlopec | September 04, 2009 at 08:08 AM
It is utter rubbish... utter rubbish and leaves a mark on us Ukrainians that we butchered Jews when in fact Soviet russian communist propaganda perpetrates the lies that Ukrainians did atrocities to Jews. Roman Shukhevych was a national hero for all of Ukraine. My grandfather, Hrisha Sklyarenko fought in the UPA against those nazi germans at the time. My grandfather often told me stories how he and several others helped Jews and others to escape from the Nazis.
Yet, it seems to this day Jews and more and more of them are believing the lies of Russia and the communists(whats left of them) over real eyewitness reports. All I can say is I hope one day there will be a brotherhood between Ukrainians and Ukrainian Jews - I would just consider calling them Ukrainians since they were born on Ukraine soil. Although, I was born in L'viv and came to the USA when I was 8.. I have had to live with Jews telling me how my ancestors and relatives collaborated with Nazis to commit jew killings. Simply not true!!!
Please stop condeming Ukrainians!! Listen to real people, and not RUSSIANS. They are our real enemies, but you don't see us trying to kick them out of Ukraine, do you?
Jews in Ukraine and all Ukrainians should honor Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych because without UPA OUN and others, we would never have the heart and might to be free as we are today.
Slava Ukrayini! - Glory to Ukraine!
Posted by: Roman Melnychuk | March 23, 2008 at 02:28 AM