Ukraine and Poland launch joint exhumation effort in Lviv
Photo: The search for the remains of Polish Army soldiers began at the Zboishchi in Lviv (Getty Images)
A joint search and exhumation operation by a Ukrainian-Polish expedition has begun on the territory of the former Zboishcha cemetery in Lviv, according to the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.
The work began on August 4 and will last until approximately the 30th of this month.
The expedition is aimed at the reburial of the remains of Polish Army soldiers who died in 1939 during the defense of Lviv from German troops.
The soldiers were representatives of different nationalities, which emphasizes the multinational composition of the city's defenders.
Andriy Najos, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, emphasized that the work was made possible by close bilateral cooperation between Ukraine and Poland.
"The memory of the victims of World War II is not only about the past, it is about our current values: dignity, mutual respect, and the ability to dialogue," Nadzhos emphasized.
According to Yevhen Boiko, manager of the executive committee of the Lviv City Council, the former cemetery at Zboishcha existed until the 1960s and was finally liquidated in 1987.
In the 1990s, a symbolic wooden cross with an inscription in Polish was erected in its place.
The search and exhumation work is being carried out as part of broad bilateral cooperation aimed at understanding common history and preserving the memory of the victims.
Exhumation of victims
On April 24, Ukraine began exhuming the victims of the Volyn tragedy - Polish citizens who died in 1945.
This is the first exhumation of victims of the Volyn tragedy in many years.
On May 4, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine announced that the remains of more than 30 people had been found. More than 20 people have been exhumed. In addition, a fairly large number of artifacts were found and seized: buttons, shoes, and coins.
