UKRAINIAN PEOPLE'S SELF-DEFENSE AS A STAGE OF THE REGIONAL MANIFESTATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUN (B) MILITARY DOCTRINE (Summer–Autumn 1943)

Abstract

The paper outlines a way of changing thoughts on the implementation of a national army idea among the leadership of the nationalist wing of the national Resistance movement during World War II. The theoretical and ideological basis features of their military doctrine are described. In the context of the realization of the nationalist movement's defining goal at the time – getting an independent and united Ukrainian state, an analysis of opinions on the role of the armed forces is made. Among representatives of the leadership of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (Bandera's group) were people of different, and often totally opposed positions on the issue of creating armed structures of a military type, which is emphasized. Based on a personal approach, the significant figures of that stage of development of the mentioned socio-political current in the context of their attitude to the formation of the national army are presented. In general, traits of implementing measures aimed at creating and developing their own armed forces are defined. Features of the deployment of the armed forces under the auspices of nationalists within certain regions of western Ukraine are outlined. A connection among regional differences in the development of tactical military units is emphasized, as evidenced by the efforts of the leadership of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (Bandera’s group) to systematically approach the implementation of the national army doctrine. Chronological stages of armed structures formation under the auspices of nationalists in the form of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (Volyn) and the Ukrainian People's Self-Defense (Halychyna) are presented. It is determined that in the current context, research in the chosen field, in particular, and creating an objective picture of the national past in general, are among the main aspects of forming a proper state position in Ukrainian society. Keywords armed forces, Ukrainian independent and united state, resistance movement, Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, Ukrainian Insurgent Army, Ukrainian People's Self-Defense.