– We do not have any plans to change the position on the continuation of search and exhumation works, nor in the future. We have positive experiences that we have gained in Puźniki, and we are preparing for a joint burial, which is to take place at the beginning of September – emphasized the deputy head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture in an interview with PAP.
The funerals of the remains of the victims from Puźnik are planned for September 6, as long as the safety conditions allow. – We usually serve the place of the event only on the eve, so that this is not an excuse for the Russian aggressor to hit. But yes, we have such a term agreed with the Polish side – he added.
Nadżos announced that work is currently underway in the former village of Zbiska, which is currently within Lviv, where Polish and Ukrainian specialists have been operating for two weeks. In September 1939, the Polish army, commanded by Colonel Stanisława Maczek, fights with the Wehrmacht fierce there.
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The deputy minister revealed that a preparatory visit to Jureczków near Przemyśl is planned soon, where the search for Ukrainian victims is to take place. – We are in direct dialogue with Poles, two joint expeditions work. Therefore, there can be no signs of stopping or suspension of searches and exhumation He assured.
The deputy head of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine pointed out that in the conditions of Russian aggression it is impossible to simultaneously conduct many exhumations. – Today's very hard night in Lviv, in Volhynia, in Kiev shows that barbaric firing with drones and rockets is ongoing. In such conditions, we can ensure safety at one object and after completing the work we go to the next. This is a responsible approach – he said.
– The fall of the Russian drone on Poland is a sign that we are in danger. Perhaps, with the issue of exhumation, we should also talk more seriously about security aspects. We cannot expose Polish citizens to the risk of Russian attacks – Nadżos noted.
A spokesman for Karol Nawrocki spoke critically about the actions of Ukraine
On Tuesday, spokesman for President Rafał Leśkiewicz assessed that For now, there are no serious signals that would indicate a change in Ukraine's position on search and exhumation works in Volhynia. He added that this is the most important thing in Polish-Ukrainian historical relations.
The president's spokesman also assured in Tuesday's conversation in Radio Jedynka that Karol Nawrocki does not exclude Ukraine membership in NATO, while In the current geopolitical situation, he does not see the possibility of entering this country into the alliance.
– One of the issues that is extremely important, and which can affect the change in the attitude of the president is to resolve the issues regarding the victims of the genocide in Volhynia and undertaking search and exhumation works in Volhynia – said Leśkiewicz. He noted that this is extremely An important element in the memory policy and in Polish-Ukrainian relations. He added that the president talked about it on July 31 with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelnski.
Leśkiewicz emphasized that Poland wants to systemically solve the problem of issuing consents to start exploration and exhumation works in Ukraine. – There are over 100,000 there The victims of the genocide of Ukrainian nationalists, murdered extremely brutally, and the families of the victims expect that these nameless graves will finally be explored, that the remains will be taken, they will be proudly buried, in Christian – he said.
As he pointed out, “For now, there are no serious signals that would indicate a change in Ukraine's position” on consent to conducting search and exhumation works, in addition to “unit case”.
Leśkiewicz informed after a telephone conversation between Nawrocki and Zelanski on July 31 that her important topic was historical policy. “Karol Nawrocki emphasized that he is the voice of a nation that demands a change in Ukraine's approach to important and unresolved historical matters. This should change. President Elek announced that historical issues will be the subject of further talks with the President of Ukraine” – the spokesman of the president wrote.
According to Leśkiewicz, Nawrocki confirmed further support for Ukraine in connection with the ongoing war.
The issue of exhumation with an important topic in Nawrocki's presidency
After the conversation, Zelanski expressed the hope that Poland would remain a reliable partner and ally of Ukraine. “For us, it is very important for Poland to continue to support Ukraine. Because we defend not only its own territory, but all of our Europe, including Poland,” emphasized Zelanski. He informed that together with Nawrocki agreed to exchange visits, during which both of them are to discuss all current issues of bilateral cooperation.
At the beginning of July, Nawrocki took part in Chełm in the commemoration of the victims of the genocide in Volhynia. At that time, he appealed to President Zelanski for the possibility of taking full -scale exhumations.
At the beginning of August 2025, search and exhumation works began in the former village of Zbiska, which is currently within Lviv. In May this year, the field stage of the exhumation in the now defunct village of Puźniki in the Ternopil region was completed. As a result of the work, the remains of 42 people were found.
