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Polish IPN and Ukrainian experts exhume 49 victims in Volhynia
The Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) began a series of exhumations in the Volhynia region on 13 July 2026, uncovering the remains of 49 people killed by Ukrainian nationalist forces in the villages of Ostrówki and Wola Ostrowiecka. The work, carried out jointly with Ukrainian archaeologists from the firm “Volynian Antiquities” and Dr Łukasz Szleszkowski, is scheduled to continue until 7 August. DNA material is being taken from the bones and families are asked to submit genetic samples to aid identification.
More than 50 bodies have now been recovered, including a significant proportion of children, along with personal items such as rosaries, medals and shoes. The exhumations have reignited a long‑standing dispute over the 1943‑45 massacres: Poland labels the killings by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) as genocide, while Ukraine describes them as a wartime tragedy and notes Ukrainian casualties in retaliation. The diplomatic tension was heightened after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named a military unit after the UPA, prompting Polish President Karol Nawrocki to withdraw a national honour. Both governments say the forensic work could serve as a first step toward normalising relations.
Entities
Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) · Karol Nawrocki · Karol Polejowski · Olga Mineiko · Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) · Ukrainian archaeologists (Volynian Antiquities) · Volhynia region · Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Institute of National Remembrance began exhumation work in Volhynia on 13 July 2026. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] Polish and Ukrainian officials say the exhumations could help improve bilateral relations. information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The exhumation work is scheduled to continue until 7 August. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl
- [● 3 SOURCES] Poland describes the 1943‑45 massacres by the UPA as genocide, while Ukraine calls them a wartime tragedy. lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Diplomatic tension rose after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy named a military unit after the UPA, leading Polish President Karol Nawrocki to withdraw a national award. lesinguliersete.fr
- [● 3 SOURCES] More than 50 bodies have been exhumed, with 30‑40 % being children. lesinguliersete.fr · information.tv5monde.com · fr.news.yahoo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] DNA samples are being collected from the remains and families are asked to provide DNA for identification. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl
- [● 2 SOURCES] 49 human remains were uncovered in the villages Ostrówki and Wola Ostrowiecka. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl