Expulsion of the Nazis from Ukraine in 1944: the Week of remembrance of the struggle against Nazi occupiers was held at the faculties of NULES

Today's world forces us to draw many historical parallels with the events and phenomena of the twentieth century. The Second World War is an example of the heroism of those who sacrificed themselves and those who brought victory in the struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, closer with incredible efforts.
According to the Decree of the President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko the date 2009, October 28, the Day of liberation of Ukraine from Nazi invaders is celebrated at the national level.
In 2014, the Institute of national remembrance proposed using the terms “expulsion” instead of “liberation” and “Nazi occupiers” instead of “fascist invaders,” debunking Soviet mythologies and emphasizing that in 1944 Ukrainians did not receive freedom and liberty, and therefore it is incorrect to use the term “liberation.” Instead, Ukraine's liberation from occupation took place only in 1991, when an independent united Ukrainian state emerged.
The liberation of the territory of Ukraine from the German Nazis took place in heavy fighting from the end of 1942, at the cost of enormous human sacrifice. In December 1942, the liberation of Donbas began. In early September 1943, Soviet troops liberated Donetsk, on September 10, 1943 - Mariupol, on August 23, 1943 - Kharkiv, on November 6, 1943 - Kyiv, on December 23, 1943 - Dnipro, on April 14, 1944 - Odesa, on July 27, 1944 - Lviv, and on October 28, 1944, fighting began on the outskirts of the city of Chop in Zakarpattia, which lasted until November 25.
During the Second World War, Ukraine suffered enormous economic losses: 714 cities, 28,000 villages, 419,000 production facilities were destroyed, and 330,000 pieces of historical relics and works of art were taken abroad or lost. The demographic potential was reduced by one third: out of 41 million people who lived on Ukrainian lands after 1939, about 28 remained, which amounted to 40-44% of the total human losses of the USSR.
At the same time, these events testified to the high heroism and desire for freedom of Ukrainians who brought the Victory closer: approximately 7 million or 23% of the personnel of the USSR Armed Forces fought in the Red Army and Soviet partisan units, about 100,000 fought in the UPA, 120,000 in the Polish Army, up to 80,000 in the US Army, 45,000 in Canadian, and about 5,000 in in the army of France.
Of the 4.5 million people who received orders and medals of the USSR, 2.5 were Ukrainians. The Heroes of the Soviet Union were 2072 Ukrainians, or 18.2% of those awarded.
These and other issues were the subject of discussions and panel discussions during the Week of remembrance of the struggle against the occupiers during World War II, organized by the faculty of the department of international relations and social sciences.
In particular, associate professor Viktoria Khvist engaged the 1st year students of the Educational and research institute of forestry and landscape gardening in a visit to the National museum of the history of Ukraine in the Second World War. The students shared their impressions: “As soon as we entered the entrance, the atmosphere and a large number of exhibits immersed us in the years of historical statehood during the Second World War. Everyone could see a number of artifacts with their own eyes: weapons, clothing, documentation, and letters from soldiers.

Everything that was seen and heard made me think and rethink what sacrifices the Ukrainian spirit is willing to make for the sake of the bright future of their descendants. There are also many exhibits of military equipment and monuments dedicated to events and the military around the museum. Their very location and appearance gives a strong sense of closeness to reality. After seeing what we saw, we realized the power of the technology of that time, but we all understood that modern technology was much better.

In conclusion, although it was a small journey to learn about our own history, it is of much greater importance for each of those present to be imprinted in our memory for a long time and to begin to perceive history more deeply, because each of us has Ukrainian blood in our veins, and our own history, which depends only on us in the future. Glory to Ukraine!”

Associate professor Olena Kropyvko at the faculty of veterinary medicine organized a panel discussion on the consequences of World War II in online and classroom formats with 1st year students.

Associate professor Nataliia Kravchenko at the faculty of humanities and pedagogy held a series of events dedicated to the Second World War with international students of the first (MV-24001b), fourth (MV-21001b, MV-21002b) year of bachelor's degree, first year of master's degree (MV-24001m, MV-24002m) and social workers (SR-24001b).

Professor Olena Liubovets, for the 3rd year students majoring in International relations, public communications and regional studies at the faculty of humanities and pedagogy, organized and conducted an anniversary event to mark the 80th anniversary of Ukraine's liberation from the Nazis. At the beginning, the audience observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of World War II. Professor of the department of international relations and social sciences Olena Liubovets delivered a report “Ukraine in the Second World War: Lessons for today”; afterwards, students had the opportunity to express their opinions on the issues raised.

Professor Serhiy Bilan at the faculty of construction and design gave a thematic lecture on “Ukraine and World War II: A New Paradigm” focusing students' attention on the contribution of the Ukrainian people to the victory over the Nazi invaders, the course of hostilities and the results of World War II.

The above-mentioned events were accompanied by watching video fragments about the Second World War, documentaries from the period of the Second World War, and modern assessments by domestic and foreign historians.
It is important to realize that the expulsion of the Nazis from Ukraine was a joint victory of Ukrainians who fought in the Red Army, represented the Ukrainian national movement, and brought the Victory closer in the ranks of the Resistance Movement and the armies of the world.
The undoubted heroes are those who defended their homeland to the last and were not afraid to repel the enemy. We remember and honor all those who defended our land and sacrificed their health and lives in the name of Victory.

Olena Kropyvko,

associate professor of the department of international relations and social sciences