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“A normally constructed truth lives in the rule
a 17-18 years, maximum 20 years. Rarely anymore. "
- Henrik Ibsen, An Enemy of the People
“The common slogan ’20 million Russian ward dead’ is, I believe, wrong in each of its constituent parts. It refers for example, not to Russians, but to Soviet citizens. Therefore, it includes large numbers of Ukrainians, of Poles, of Jews, of all the nationalities of the Soviet Union who were victims of one sort or another during the war.” (Norman Davies)
The Ukrainians carried at least 40% of losses of the USSR in WWII.
Ukraine suffered the greatest losses of any European country. During the six years of war, Ukraine lost more people than the total military losses of the United States, Canada, the British Commonwealth, France, Germany Japan and Italy all put together. Eight million inhabitants of Ukraine killed, over half in combat. Millions more were lost through deportation, exile and displacement. Thus, as a result of World War II, Ukraine’s population decreased by more than 10 million, a full quarter of its people lost.
A common misconception in Western historiography of WWII is that the Red Army was Russian. The term “Russians” was interchangeable with “Soviet” during the existence of the USSR. In actual fact, Russians made up only 55-60 percent of the population of the USSR. This meant that 40-45 percent were non-Russian. These demographic figures were reflected in the ethnic makeup of the Red Army. While it is true that Russians were given preponderance in the officer corps, to call the Red Army “Russian” is simply to miss the point.
In actual fact, non-Russian nationalities served in the Red Army in great numbers. Seven million Ukrainians served in the Red Army, and made important contributions not only in battles in Ukraine but also in Russia – the surrender of General Paulus’ 6th Army at Stalingrad was accepted by a Ukrainian general. All told, some 7 million Ukrainians served in the Red Army, including over 350 Marshals and Generals.
The Ukrainian contribution to the British war effort has almost been forgotten in Britain, in part because these Ukrainians were simply counted as Poles at the time and today the Polish efforts have also been nearly forgotten.
Nupi researcher Jakub M. Godzimirski stated in our webinar "Learning from the Past for the Future" that 30 percent of the soldiers in the Red Army at the time Finnmark was liberated actually came from Ukraine.
Yana Primachenko, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Ukrainian History, National Academy of Science of Ukraine said on our webinar: - According to estimates of Ukrainian researchers, nearly 6 million people from Ukraine fought in the Red Army, thus they made up approximately 23 percent of the total armed forces of the USSR. The number soldiers from Soviet Ukraine in the Red Army constantly changed throughout the war. In 1941, they accounted for 15-20 percent (second only to Russians). In 1942, the Ukrainian share decreased in the Red Army: many were taken prisoner of war or remained on the occupied territory. In early 1944, during the liberation of Ukraine, the number of Ukrainians increased to more than 22 percent. One should not forget about the quality of the indicatorseither. Among 11.5 million officers and soldiers awarded orders and medals during 1941–1945, about 2.5 million were Ukrainians. For exceptional courage, 2 thousand were awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union. The Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded to Ivan Kozhedub three times and 32 Ukrainians were awarded it twice.
Berit Lindeman, The Norwegian Helsinki Committee, said on the same webinar: - In 1994 I moved to Kyiv together with my family when my husband was appointed 2nd secretary to the recently opened Norwegian Embassy. This was just weeks before the big celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the liberation of Finnmark, to which the government of Norway had invited many veterans of the Soviet army to Norway. But no Ukrainians, to our consternation. First of all, the very engaged Ambassador ØyvindNordsletten found this very offensive, and even embarrassing for Norway. I honestlythink it was more lack of thinking and knowledge from the Government side, than actual choice, that had resulted in this unfortunate situation. So, Ambassador Nordsletten and the Norwegian Embassy organised a big feast at the hotel where we had the residence at first, I think it was the hotel Ukraina. The Embassy invited war veterans, some 30-40, who had served in the liberation battles, but not least the heavy, protracted fighting that lasted for years under such terrible conditions outside Murmansk. This event, where we met and could hear the stories of those elderly veterans, so humble, but proud, some with hard lives even after the war, remains one of my finest memories from my years in Ukraine. They were so grateful for this small token of reconnaissance. It is sad, but few, if any,of those war veterans are still alive, so it makes me happy that, at least some of the veterans received some sort of thanks from Norway during this event.
Wasyl Cykwa no two from left.
An ukrainian soldiers received the War Cross with Sword after World War 2 Norway's highest award. After the German attack on Norway on April 9, 1940, it was decided to send Wasyl Cykwas' branch north, as part of the Allied attempt to resist the invasion. The unit, like that of the French-Polish expeditionary force, was shipped out of Brest and sent via Scotland to Norway, where it was landed at Harstad on 9 May. After a few days it was sent to Narvik. During the battle of Narvik, Cykwas made a name for himself in the battles on Ankenesfjellet. The patrol he participated in fell into ambush, but Cykwas saved the situation by throwing hand grenades at the German attackers. In the match, Cykwas was injured in the foot. He was evacuated to Britain and, despite the injury, continued his service in the Polish / Ukrainian units in Scotland.
In recent years, initiatives have been taken to rebuild post-war memorials that were destroyed by "Operation Asphalt", only Russia is invited to participate. When there are memorials, only Russia is invited. We ask why?
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