Ukraine and Poland to Begin Search Operations in Huta Peniatska

What Happened

On June 8, 2026, Ukrainian and Polish search teams will commence operations in Huta Peniatska, which is now part of the Pidkamin settlement community in Zolochiv Raion, Lviv Oblast. This effort is aimed at finding burial sites of villagers who lost their lives during violent events in February 1944.

Key Details

According to the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the search operations are expected to last until June 19, 2026. Teams will investigate potential burial locations and, if human remains are found, this will lead to further exhumation processes.

A joint expedition consisting of representatives from the specialized institution "Volyn Antiquities" and the Polish Institute of National Remembrance will carry out the tasks. These operations are facilitated by oversight from Ukrainian experts, supported by funding from the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance.

The Ministry granted the necessary permits for these activities in February 2026 in accordance with agreements established by the Ukrainian-Polish working group on historical memory.

Why It Matters

This initiative represents a step in honoring the memory of victims from a tragic historical event. The collaborative effort between Ukraine and Poland reflects both countries’ commitment to addressing shared historical grievances and fostering bilateral relations.

Background

Huta Peniatska was a former village with a significant Polish ethnic population, located in Lviv Oblast. It was part of the Brody County in the Polish Republic during the 1920s and 1930s.

The village suffered a severe attack on February 28, 1944, conducted by a German police unit, leading to the tragic death of many residents and the destruction of the village. The specific number of casualties from Huta Peniatska during this event remains uncertain.

Following the destruction, the village was not rebuilt, leaving only its memory and the urgency to locate the buried victims. Recently, Poland expressed gratitude to Ukraine for agreeing to undertake these search efforts in Huta Peniatska, highlighting the importance of historical accountability and remembrance.