CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STAFFING OF UKRAINIAN NATIONAL SELF-DEFENSE UNITS (JULY‒AUGUST 1943)

Abstract

The proposed material outlines the general trends in the staffi ng of tactical units of the military-training structure, which arose from the initiative of the «revolutionary» wing of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN(b)) in Galicia in the summer of 1943 – Ukrainian People’s Self-Defense. The components of the algorithm of mobilization eff orts of the OUN(b) underground in a certain chronological period are characterized. The elements of the organizational structure that were directly responsible for the implementation of mobilization activities are generally presented. The process of formation of armed units of the nationalist wing of the national liberation movement of the Resistance in the region is considered in comparison with the policy implemented in relation to the enslaved population, and in particular to that part of it that was suitable for military service by the Nazi occupation administration. When analyzing the recruitment of personnel, the challenges faced by the leadership of the OUN(b) in general, as well as the direct organizers of the UNS in particular, in the form of the commander and representatives of the headquarters, are presented in general terms. At the same time, the methods used to prevent, and in some cases to overcome, negative manifestations of the mobilization process are characterized. Keywords armed forces, resistance movement, Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, Ukrainian Peopleʼs Self-Defense, Ukrainian independent conciliar state.