As Ukrinform reports, this was announced by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine
The decision was adopted following a petition received on February 16, 2026. The work concerns the search for and localization of burial sites of villagers who died during World War II.
Basis of the decision
The basis of the document is the agreement of the Ukrainian-Polish Working Group on Historical Memory. They are set forth in a joint communiqué summarizing the work in 2025 and confirmed during the meeting of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and the President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki on December 19, 2025 in Warsaw.
Planned scope of work
A joint Ukrainian-Polish expedition will carry out the search operations.
Experts aim to establish the exact burial site. If remains are found, the work will continue in the form of exhumations with subsequent reburial.
Plans for 2026
As stated by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, in 2026 Ukraine and Poland plan to carry out additional studies on the territories of both countries.
At the end of 2025, the Ministry of Culture granted permissions for search operations in the villages Ostrivky and Volia Ostrovyetska in Volyn Oblast, as well as for the continuation of studies on the site of the former village Puzhnyky in Ternopil Oblast.
In spring 2026, work is planned in the village Uhly in Rivne Oblast and the continuation of Ukrainian research in Poland.
Additional context
The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine emphasizes the importance of honoring the fallen with dignity and preserving their memory.
In the context of preserving historical memory, the parties continue joint initiatives and research that help document World War II events and preserve the memory of the affected regions.
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