The Divided Legacy of Nazis in Ukraine

Nazis have not been entirely discredited everywhere in the world, it seems.

There have been world leaders since who admired Hitler, such as Idi Amin.

And even today, there are parts of the world that were directly impacted by the Nazis during World War II who still seem to hold them as liberators, rather than occupiers.

Here is an article that explores the divisions that exist in Ukraine today over those locals who took part in the fight back then by joining the Nazis. Some people view them as liberators, as freedom fighters, and honor them as such. Others view them as monsters.

Maria Danilova explains in her article:

"More than 20 years since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Ukraine remains painfully divided over the legacy of World War II and the actions of Ukrainian nationalist fighters, who are honored as heroes by some and condemned as traitors by others. Some of those fighters served under or cooperated with the Nazis, seeing a chance to overthrow the Soviet regime, while others fought both the Red Army and the Nazis."

One of the men who actually donned the Nazi uniform and joined the fight explains in this same article:

“Those who say that we wore German uniform — yes, we did, and our weapons were German, but our hearts were full of Ukrainian blood and we never betrayed it.”

Even with Nazis, who are usually judged in black and white terms of being guilty or not guilty, there appears to be shades of gray.

So, how divisive can this issue that dates back from events generally over seventy years ago possibly be? Well, read this paragraph from the same article:

"Each year, competing rallies commemorating World War II are held throughout Ukraine, sometimes resulting in brawls. Much of the Russian-speaking east of the country celebrates the Red Army’s victory over Nazi invaders, while in the Ukrainian-speaking west, where most of the anti-Soviet insurgents fought, monuments have been erected and streets have been named in their honor. Veterans receive government benefits, no matter which side they fought on during the war."

Politicians remain divided, and the divisions remain very much intact to this day. Nor is it relegated to the Ukraine. The article mentions that these same conflicts can also be seen in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. When the question is who was worse, the Nazis or the Soviets, the answers remain controversial to this day, because many people, including quite a few people that I myself met last year in Poland, would quickly tell you that the Soviets were worse.

And it must be remembered that in the Ukraine, specifically, there had been an often forgotten Holocaust seen well before the German one, in which millions of Ukrainians were killed. It is known as the Holodmor, and I personally only learned of it recently by a friend who was familiar with it. And it was Josef Stalin, not Hitler or the Nazis, who were responsible for that Holocaust, which muddies the waters quite a bit in this case.

Rostislav Novozhenets, who heads a group that studies Soviet repression in the Ukraine, known as Ukraine-Rus, explains:

“Was it better to join the Soviet army, the army of a country infamous for repressions and the Holodmor (Stalin-era famine), which killed millions of its own citizens? The USSR was enemy No. 1,” Novozhenets said. “That is why these boys, these Ukrainians, the representatives of an oppressed nation, cannot be condemned: They fought for an independent Ukraine and that is why they should be honored as fighters for independence.”  

Very interesting subject, and fascinating and informative article. Have a look by clicking on the link below:




Ukraine divided over legacy of Nazi fighters Local men who fought as part of the SS are remembered either as traitors or patriotic heros BY MARIA DANILOVA August 1, 2013:

http://www.timesofisrael.com/ukraine-divided-over-legacy-of-nazi-fighters/