In Puzhnyky, the exhumation of victims of the Volyn tragedy is nearing completion - the remains of over 30 individuals have been found

In Puzhnyky, the exhumation of victims of the Volyn tragedy is nearing completion - the remains of over 30 individuals have been found

In the village of Puzhnyky in the Ternopil region, the field phase of a Ukrainian-Polish expedition focused on searching for and exhuming the victims of the Volyn tragedy is coming to an end. The remains of at least 30 people have already been found, with more than 20 of them exhumed.

This was stated by Andriy Nadzhos, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine for European Integration, during the ’United News’ telethon. According to him, all work on-site will be completed in about two weeks. The next step involves scientists taking genetic material for further comparative DNA analysis.

Many items have also been found at the site, which can provide more insight into the deceased and those tragic times: among the findings are buttons, crucifixes, coins, clothing, and footwear elements.

"Today, the remains of over 30 people have been found. More than 20 people have been exhumed. Additionally, many artifacts have been discovered and retrieved: buttons, shoes, coins, crucifixes. The final number can only be determined after all remains have been removed and anthropological studies are completed. Currently, the joint expedition is working very clearly and coherently," Andriy Nadzhos noted.

It is already known that the remains will be reburied in the local cemetery in Puzhnyky. Ukraine and Poland agreed on this during negotiations. Furthermore, the parties are working on creating a joint report based on the results of this work.

"This story may become a new chapter in the shared interpretation of the past. We are looking for what unites us, not what divides us. Our friendly attitude motivates our Polish partners to assist us in conducting search operations on the territory of Poland," added Andriy Nadzhos.

Recall that in the former village of Puzhnyky in the Ternopil region, on the morning of Thursday, April 24, works began to exhume Poles who died in 1945 when the village was completely destroyed. The procedure is complicated by the fact that the site is completely overgrown with forest, and researchers had difficulty bringing in several tons of specialized equipment.

Puzhnyky is a village in Ukraine that no longer exists. Today it is an overgrown, completely deserted place. The night of February 12-13, 1945, when the village was burned to the ground, is called one of the bloodiest moments in the history of Poland.

Polish sources accuse Ukrainian nationalists of the crime. They assert that a significant number of Polish homes in Puzhnyky were burned by UPA soldiers led by Petro Khamchuk "Bistryi".

At the same time, Ukrainian historians point out that in fact, at the time, an NKVD "istrebitelny" unit, which included Poles, was created in the village.

On April 11, the state enterprise "Volyn Antiquities" of the Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine reported that the work area in Puzhnyky will be fenced, and no specialists will give any comments during the works. After the completion of the works, a joint press conference will be held.