President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a poignant reminder of the cost of totalitarianism, stating that “evil cannot remain unpunished” as Ukraine observes a day dedicated to those lost to state-sponsored violence. In a message marking the Day of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repressions, the Ukrainian leader sought to connect the historical scars of the 20th century to the current struggle for sovereignty, specifically honoring the memory of Polish victims of massacres during the Second World War.
The observance, held annually on May 17, serves as a solemn tribute to the millions of lives uprooted, imprisoned, or extinguished by the machinery of Soviet repression. For Ukraine, the day is not merely a moment of mourning but a political and moral assertion of the need for historical truth—a truth that remains contested by the current Kremlin administration.
The Weight of Memory: May 17 in Ukraine
The Day of Remembrance for Victims of Political Repressions is a cornerstone of Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim its national narrative from decades of Soviet-era censorship. The day honors those who fell victim to the systematic purges, forced labor, and extrajudicial killings that characterized much of the 20th century across Eastern Europe.
By centering the conversation on these victims, the Ukrainian government aims to highlight the continuity between the historical violence of the NKVD and the ongoing military aggression facing the country today. The message from the presidency suggests that acknowledging the crimes of the past is a prerequisite for preventing their repetition in the present.
This year’s commemoration carries an added layer of complexity as the nation grapples with the realities of a full-scale invasion. The historical context of political repression provides a framework for understanding the current conflict not as an isolated territorial dispute, but as a continuation of a long-standing struggle against authoritarian expansionism.
A Demand for Historical Transparency
Central to the official commemorations is a diplomatic push for accountability. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally demanded that Moscow open the archives of the NKVD—the predecessor to the modern security services—to allow for a full and transparent accounting of historical crimes.
For decades, the secrecy surrounding these files has served as a shield for those responsible for mass executions and political purges. The Ministry’s demand is predicated on the idea that justice cannot be achieved in the absence of evidence. Without access to the primary records of the Soviet secret police, the families of victims remain denied the truth of their loved ones’ fates, and the historical record remains fractured.
The call for archive access is more than a request for academic research. it is a call for international legal and moral clarity. Ukrainian officials argue that the refusal to declassify these documents is a modern extension of the same repressive tactics used to hide the crimes of the past.
The Role of the NKVD in Systematic Repression
The NKVD, or the People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs, functioned as the primary instrument of state terror during the Soviet era. Its reach extended into every facet of civilian life, from the management of the Gulag labor camp system to the execution of political dissidents and entire ethnic groups deemed “unreliable” by the state.
The legacy of the NKVD is defined by a culture of fear and the weaponization of bureaucracy to facilitate mass violence. In the context of the current war, Ukrainian leadership points to the similarities in how information is controlled and how historical narratives are manipulated to justify state actions.
Honoring the Polish Victims of WWII
A significant element of President Zelenskyy’s address was the specific recognition of Polish victims of massacres during the Second World War. This gesture acknowledges the shared history of suffering between Poland and Ukraine, particularly regarding the atrocities committed by Soviet forces against the Polish population and military leadership.
The mention of these massacres—often associated with the Katyn massacre and other systematic liquidations of the Polish intelligentsia—serves to strengthen the regional solidarity between Kyiv and Warsaw. By honoring these victims, Zelenskyy is reinforcing a collective European memory of the horrors of the mid-20th century, emphasizing that the victims of one nation’s repression are a concern for the entire international community.
This recognition also serves a diplomatic purpose. As Ukraine seeks deeper integration with European institutions, acknowledging the historical grievances and shared traumas of its neighbors is a vital step in building a unified front against contemporary threats to democracy.
Historical Justice and the Modern Struggle
The intersection of historical remembrance and modern geopolitics is nowhere more evident than in Ukraine’s current stance on political repression. The government’s focus on the Day of Remembrance is a strategic effort to frame the current war as a fight for the fundamental right to truth and existence.
To the administration in Kyiv, the refusal of the Russian Federation to acknowledge past atrocities is a direct indicator of its current intentions. The pattern of denying historical crimes is seen as a precursor to the denial of current sovereign rights. The fight for the NKVD archives and the recognition of WWII victims is inextricably linked to the fight for Ukraine’s current security.
As the international community continues to support Ukraine, the emphasis on historical justice remains a key pillar of the nation’s long-term stability. The goal is to ensure that the mechanisms of state terror, whether they operate through secret police files or modern military occupation, are met with unyielding transparency and international accountability.
The upcoming months will likely see continued diplomatic pressure regarding the release of historical records, as Ukrainian officials integrate these demands into broader discussions within European and international forums.
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