On August 4, a Ukrainian-Polish search and exhumation expedition began in Lviv on the territory of the former cemetery in the Zboyyshka microdistrict, the purpose of which is to identify and rebury the remains of soldiers of the Polish Army who died during the defense of the city in September 1939. These soldiers, who belonged to different nationalities, died fighting against the Nazi army, informs press service of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.
The works are carried out within the framework of bilateral cooperation, aimed at the joint rethinking of complex historical events. Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Andriy Najos noted that the implementation of the expedition became possible thanks to the persistent cooperation of Ukraine and Poland.
“The memory of the victims of the Second World War is not only about the past, it is about our values today: dignity, mutual respect, the ability to dialogue. Ukrainian-Polish cooperation is an example of how joint efforts help both peoples restore historical memory and justice.”Andriy Najos emphasized.
Head of affairs of the Lviv City Council Executive Committee Yevhen Boyko added that the cemetery functioned until the 1960s, and it was finally liquidated in 1987. In the 1990s, a symbolic wooden cross with an inscription in Polish was installed at the burial site: “To the soldiers of the Polish army who died in defense of the Motherland in September 1939.”
The exhumation work is expected to last until August 30. It will be recalled that in May, a similar expedition took place in the village of Puzhnyki in the Ternopil region, where the remains of 42 people were discovered.
