Ukrainization of the Western Polissia: Stages and Factors

Abstract

The course of Ukrainization of the inhabitants of Western Polissia (the north of modern Volyn and Rivne regions, as well as the south of Brest region) is analyzed. The main stages of this process are highlighted. The first is the Liberation War of 1917–1921, the second is the interwar period, the third is from the beginning of World War II to the creation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA). It was clarified that the majority of local Orthodox priests had moskvophilic views and were hostile to Ukrainization. They were wary of revolutionary changes and tried to conserve within themselves the remnants of the ideology of the no longer existing Russian Empire. However, some local Orthodox priests supported Ukrainization and helped to build the OUN network. From 1942 to 1944, the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) played an important role in this process. It established close cooperation with the OUN in the means of promotional work and managed to take hold in the region. In particular, UAOC priests carried out the Ukrainization of worship and built their own church network. Often in their sermons, they glorified the struggle of the OUN and honoured the heroes who died for an Independent Ukraine. In return, the OUN tried to support pro-Ukrainian priests, primarily through protection and authority. Pressure was exerted on the actively moskvophilic clergy (threats, beatings, and, in exceptional cases, executions). The specified active position managed to change the situation. On the large territory, nationally conscious priests and Ounivites managed to Ukrainianize the population. It was the foundation on which in the fall of 1942, the first units of the UPA were created on the territory of Western Polissia by Ostap Kachynskyi («Samson»), who was a military officer of the OUN Regional Directorate. On the contrary, the moskvophile clergy controlled the territories which were not supervised by the OUN underground. Under its influence, the local population lost its national identity and became part of the Belarusian people.