Ukraine set to start exhumation of Volyn tragedy victims this spring – Ambassador

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

Bodnar stated: "We plan to start the exhumation in spring at the first approved site, which is Puzhnyky."

The exact month remains uncertain, as the work depends on weather conditions.

"We don’t yet know the exact month, but we are preparing so that if the weather is favourable, all necessary permits have been issued, and the Polish team is ready, we can begin the work," Bodnar said on TVN24.

He also noted that efforts are ongoing to identify all potential exhumation sites on both Polish and Ukrainian territory.

Under Ukrainian law, the exhumation must be conducted by a licensed Ukrainian company. Poland has already partnered with a Ukrainian institution, and this cooperation is progressing. "This institution has received all necessary permits, and once the teams begin their work, the public will be informed through the ministers of culture," Bodnar added.

Ukraine is partially funding the exhumation on its territory. "Local authorities and our Institute of National Remembrance have announced subsidies for this work, but the main funding comes from the Polish side," the Ambassador explained.

Bodnar emphasized the importance of resuming the process after it had been suspended since 2017.

As Ukrinform previously reported, on January 14, Ukraine approved Poland’s request to conduct exhumation work in April for Polish victims of the Volyn tragedy, who perished in 1945.

The exhumation will be carried out by specialists from the Freedom and Democracy Foundation, who two years ago discovered human remains in Puzhnyky, Ternopil region, during search operations.