Remembering Symon Petliura: 100 Years Later
On May 25, 2026, exactly 100 years will have passed since the death of Symon Petliura, a prominent Ukrainian political figure and military commander who was instrumental in establishing the Ukrainian People's Republic (UPR). Petliura, who served as head of the UPR's Directorate and as Supreme Commander of its army, was gunned down on Rue Racine in Paris. The attack occurred at 2:15 PM, when Samuel Schwartzbard fired seven bullets—the fifth proved fatal. A French court later acquitted the assassin, imposing only a symbolic $1 fine for littering the pavement.
Life and Legacy
Born in 1879 on the outskirts of Poltava into a family of townsfolk with Cossack roots, Petliura was expelled from the Poltava Theological Seminary for helping organize a performance by Mykola Lysenko. During the 1917 Ukrainian Revolution, he became General Secretary for Military Affairs. In the fall of 1918, he led an uprising against Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi. On January 22, 1919, under his leadership, the Directorate's Universal was proclaimed, uniting the UPR and the Western Ukrainian People's Republic (ZUNR).
Petliura remained at the helm until the defeat of Ukraine's liberation struggle in 1921. He forged a pact with Polish leader Józef Piłsudski, a key move to bolster the UPR's position. The Active Army of the UPR numbered between 40,000 and 60,000 bayonets and sabers. After Petliura's death, Soviet agencies continued targeting Ukrainian figures abroad, including Yevhen Konovalets, Lev Rebet, and Stepan Bandera.
Current efforts to honor Symon Petliura's memory are a matter of concern. In Poltava, a monument is planned at an estimated cost of 8 million hryvnias (under $200,000).
As Vladlen Marayev notes, 'Kyiv too must have a monument to Symon Petliura.'Volodymyr Tylischak emphasizes that 'the struggle led by Symon Petliura forged a Ukrainian political nation that became a subject of world politics.' Mykyta Poturaev adds that 'no one would have supported the idea more strongly than Symon Vasylyovych that every hryvnia today should go toward rifles or machine guns.'
The circumstances of Petliura's killing remain debated, as evidence suggests Schwartzbard may have acted on orders from the USSR's ambassador to France, Christian Rakovsky. In 1927, the assassin was defended by lawyer Henri Torrès, a member of the French Communist Party. This story underscores the complexity and drama of the era in which Symon Petliura lived and operated, as well as his enduring significance for Ukrainian history.
Marking the centenary of Symon Petliura's death is a pivotal moment for Ukraine. He not only became a symbol of the fight for independence but continues to shape the country's current political landscape. Honoring his memory can reinforce the importance of national identity and historical awareness for Ukrainians, especially amid modern challenges. Erecting monuments and debating his legacy may serve as vital steps in building national consciousness and unity among Ukrainians.
As we approach the centenary of Symon Petliura's assassination, it is essential to recognize the ongoing efforts to commemorate his legacy. Recently, Ukraine's Central Bank has issued a commemorative coin to honor this significant historical figure, reflecting the nation's dedication to preserving its cultural heritage and acknowledging the impact of Petliura's contributions to Ukrainian independence.