To mark the 84th anniversary of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, the War Museum held the event Partisan War in Ukraine: Resistance Continues. It was moderated by the Museum’s professional, a veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian War, Hero of Ukraine Volodymyr Zhemchuhov.
As a native of Luhansk Oblast, Volodymyr Zhemchuhov coordinated and participated in the underground movement known as the Luhansk Partisans. After his native lands were seized, he began fighting the enemy underground, and later joined the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. He conducted several successful operations behind the occupiers’ backs, was seriously wounded, and survived captivity. Despite interrogations, torture, and inhumane conditions of detention, he did not renounce his beliefs and remained loyal to Ukraine. After his release from captivity, Volodymyr Zhemchuhov was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the Order of the Gold Star for his courage and heroism. Currently, he is also actively involved in public activities, organises meetings with youth and shares his own experience of struggle.
During the meeting, Volodymyr Zhemchuhov gave a historical overview from the national liberation struggle of the early 20th century to the modern War for Independence of Ukraine. He paid special attention to the evolution of the underground and partisan movement throughout the temporarily occupied territories, emphasising the continuity of the traditions of the Ukrainian liberation movement and the modern Resistance Movement.
A separate part of the event was dedicated to Ukraine of 2014. He spoke about the civil resistance of Ukrainians during the occupation of Crimea and part of Donbas, showing archival photos and videos.
One of the most emotional parts of the meeting was the demonstration of the last recording of Tyhran Ohanesian and Mykyta Khanhanov, Resistance Movement youngsters from the occupied city of Berdiansk. The Russian invaders subjected the young men to brutal persecution and torture, and later executed them. In an attempt to hide the circumstances of the crime, Russians still refuse to hand over their bodies to the parents.
Denys Podanchuk, a soldier of the Special Operations Forces, had joined the conversation as well. He spoke about the legal foundations of national resistance, as well as the principles of its organisation, preparation and implementation. Podanchuk is also known as one of the developers of the Law of Ukraine “On the Fundamentals of National Resistance.” He emphasised, “The whole world should know that there is a Resistance Movement in Ukraine.”
At the end, the participants of the event honoured with a minute of silence all those who fell in the War for Independence of Ukraine. Those who were the very first casualties of the Russian aggression were remembered by name: soldier Serhii Kokurin, who died in Crimea; public activist Dmytro Cherniavskyi, who was killed in Donetsk; Odesa self-defence activist Andrii Biriukov; and many other Heroes who gave their lives for Ukraine.
We sincerely thank Volodymyr Zhemchuhov for the frank conversation, important testimonies about the struggle of Ukrainians for freedom and a significant contribution to the patriotic education of young generations. Together we preserve the memory and strengthen faith in Victory.
