In Lviv, during a joint Ukrainian-Polish expedition, a mass burial of Polish soldiers of the Second World War was discovered. The exhumation of about 40 soldiers is preliminary. This was reported by the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.
The expedition included Ukrainian and Polish forensic experts, anthropologists and historians. They explored the territory of the old cemetery of the former village of Zboyska (Zboyshche), which is now part of Lviv. It was here that Polish soldiers who died at the beginning of the Second World War were buried.
To date, the bodies of approximately 40 soldiers have been exhumed, but the final death toll will be determined after the remains have been identified. Items found include buttons from military uniforms, rank insignia, weapons, helmets and badges with numbers. On one of the tokens, it was possible to preserve the soldier’s last name engraved by his own hand.
“We understand that this is a tragedy of two peoples – Ukrainian and Polish, who became victims of totalitarian regimes. It is important that the search works take place in the format of a joint expedition. This indicates a mutual readiness for dialogue and mutual respect, – noted Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Andrii Najos.
According to him, the Polish side announced its intention to carry out search and exhumation works in 13 locations on the territory of Ukraine. Similar works are also planned in four places in Poland. The process is carried out in stages: first the object is investigated, then exhumation is carried out, after which reburial takes place.
