Archaeologists are carrying out exhumations in western Ukraine at the site of two abandoned villages linked to World War II-era massacres. The work focuses on victims from Volyn, a deeply sensitive chapter in the shared history of Poland and Ukraine.
The remains being uncovered sit at the center of a dispute that has weighed on relations between Warsaw and Kyiv for years. The issue goes beyond archaeology, touching on memory, national narratives and the question of how the killings should be documented and understood.
For Poland and Ukraine, the Volyn massacres remain one of the most difficult historical topics in their bilateral relationship. Disagreements over what happened, how many people died and who bears responsibility have repeatedly fueled diplomatic tension.
The latest exhumation effort highlights how wartime burial sites still shape present-day politics. As investigators continue their work in western Ukraine, the findings are likely to keep the Volyn issue in focus for both governments.
