Institute of National Remembrance exhumations uncover 55 victims in Volhynia

The Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) conducted exhumations in the former villages of Ostrówki and Wola Ostrowiecka between July 13 and August 7, 2026. The process resulted in the recovery of the remains of 55 Poles, including 26 children. Personal items such as rosaries, crosses, and civilian clothing were also recovered for documentation.

According to the IPN, these locations were attacked on August 30, 1943, by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army with the participation of local residents from neighboring villages. In Ostrówki, remains of six people, including two children and two women, were found near a former school. In Wola Ostrowiecka, a mass grave was examined at the former farm of Aleksander Strażyca, where victims were buried without coffins.

The findings highlight ongoing tensions regarding historical memory and accountability. While Kyiv has granted permission for these exhumations, reports indicate local attempts to deflect responsibility or shift blame to Soviet forces, complicating efforts toward historical reconciliation.