Ukrainian veterans dismayed by Yushchenko praising Ukrainian InsurgentArmy
KYIV. May 9 (Interfax) - Ukrainian veterans of WWII were dismayed
when President Viktor Yushchenko described the Ukrainian Insurgent Army
(UPA)'s activities during WWII as "heroic resistance" to the Nazis.
"Ukrainians fought in different armies, but they fought against a
common enemy - Nazism - and for a common goal, for their homeland's
honor and freedom and for their people's happiness," Yushchenko said
speaking to veterans near the National Museum of the Great Patriotic War
memorial complex in Kyiv on May 9.
The president called massive partisan movement that Ukrainian
people launched in the occupied territory "one of the most powerful in
Europe."
"Courageous fighters for Ukraine's independence - the UPA warriors
-heroically resisted the fascist aggressors as well," Yushchenko said.
The veterans booed in response to this phrase and started chanting
"Disgrace!"
When Ukraine was occupied by Nazi forces during WWII, UPA units
fought both against the Nazis and the Soviet partisans, and after
western Ukraine was liberated from the Nazis, they started fighting
against the Red Army and Soviet security forces NKVD.
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