Ukraine's enduring struggle: a modern fight for existence

Kyiv – As Ukraine prepares to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, parallels between the historic conflict and the ongoing war against Russia are increasingly evident. Yuriy Savchuk, director of Ukraine's War Museum, draws striking comparisons between the resilience exhibited during World War II and the current battle for national survival.

The conflict, ignited by Russia’s invasion in February 2022, has deepened the historical divide over the shared legacy of World War II. "World War I and II, and today's war – they're all conflicts we fought for the right to national existence, for the right of Ukrainians to establish themselves as a people," Savchuk stated.

Russia has framed its invasion as a campaign against "neo-Nazis," invoking its own World War II narrative to rationalize the aggression. However, this characterization is firmly rejected in Kyiv, by Western nations, and by independent experts. For Ukrainians, the struggle is perceived as an existential battle that has also intensified their resistance to Moscow's version of shared Soviet history.

This year, Ukraine will observe Victory Day on May 8, aligning with the date recognized in Western Europe, a shift from the Soviet-influenced celebration on May 9. This change reflects a broader divergence in how the East and West commemorate their respective histories from the war.

In Moscow, President Vladimir Putin is set to lead a grand military parade, celebrating Russia's role in defeating Nazi Germany. Such displays have drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv, with the Foreign Ministry denouncing the portrayal of Russian forces as liberators, labeling them instead as "occupiers and war criminals."

The Kremlin has exploited the legacy of certain Ukrainian nationalists from World War II to support its claims of needing to "de-Nazify" Ukraine. Among these figures is Stepan Bandera, a controversial nationalist leader who collaborated with Nazi Germany and is now seen by some as a symbol of Ukrainian independence. This narrative is staunchly opposed by Ukraine’s Jewish community, which has firmly rejected the notion that the current conflict has any basis in truth.

"It’s Russian propaganda that they come here to denazify Ukraine. It’s a lie," asserted Moshe Azman, Ukraine's chief rabbi. Savchuk emphasizes the importance of recognizing Ukraine's considerable contributions to the fight against Nazism, rather than focusing solely on those who collaborated with occupying forces.

According to estimates from the Foreign Ministry, around eight million Ukrainians lost their lives during the war, including five million civilians and three million soldiers. Approximately 7.5 million Ukrainians fought in the Soviet army, while about 135,000 aligned themselves with Nazi forces.

"We will not allow anyone to take away any part of this memory that we are proud of," Savchuk proclaimed, standing before remnants of a Russian helicopter downed by Ukrainian troops.

In a significant shift, Ukraine has also designated 1939 as the true starting point of the war, marking the year when Germany and the Soviet Union conspired to divide Poland, challenging Russia’s narrative that begins in 1941. This move is part of broader efforts to reshape national memory; for instance, the War Museum has replaced a Soviet-era emblem on the Motherland Monument with the Ukrainian coat of arms.

Valentyn Peresypkin, a former journalist from Zaporizhzhia, reflected on the lasting impact of war when he showed the monument to his son. "We have been living in a state of turbulence and stressful uncertainty for three years now. I told my son about World War II and the price paid for victory back then," he shared.

In light of the ongoing conflict, the museum has expanded its exhibitions to include representations of the current war, including a replica of a basement where Ukrainians sought refuge during the initial Russian assaults. "This is the current historical task, for our future – to form and preserve our memory of the ongoing war, which is a continuation of World War II," Savchuk noted.

The museum’s underground shelters are equipped to provide refuge during air raid alerts, a frequent occurrence in the war-torn region. Despite the symbolic nature of his role, Savchuk underscores the necessity of action to prevent history from repeating itself. "The slogan 'Never Again!' can only be effective if it is based on clear, concrete actions," he asserted. "An enemy who is pointing a gun or a cannon or a tank at you understands only the language of force."