Ongoing Investigations at Puzhnyky Site
In Ukraine’s Ternopil region, joint Ukrainian and Polish teams have wrapped up the second phase of their search for World War II victims’ remains in the former village of Puzhnyky. Despite extensive efforts, no mass burial site was uncovered. Excavations revealed the foundation of a cemetery chapel, an outbuilding, and a stone pavement. Plans are underway to employ LiDAR technology for the next stage, pending official approval for aerial scanning.
The History Behind Puzhnyky
Puzhnyky, once a village in Ternopil Oblast, suffered a violent attack in February 1945, resulting in civilian casualties and the village being set ablaze. The Soviet authorities officially abolished the settlement in 1949. While no mass grave was found during recent digs, remains of 42 individuals were exhumed. DNA tests are currently being conducted in Poland, leading to the identification of some of the victims.
Experts from Ukraine and Poland are collaborating closely on this project. Ukrainian specialists represent the Volyn Antiquities Institute, while the Polish team includes researchers from the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin and members of the Freedom and Democracy Foundation.
“Preliminary findings suggest we uncovered the chapel’s foundation, where funeral rites were likely held, alongside a utility building and a stone pavement that might have served as part of a roadway,” said representatives of the Volyn Antiquities Institute.
Exhumation and search operations for Polish citizens who perished in 1945 began at Puzhnyky on April 24, 2025. The second phase of these efforts concluded in June 2026 without discovering remains in the targeted zones. In December 2025, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture granted permission to conduct further research in the Volyn region and continue work in Puzhnyky.
- Structures uncovered during the Puzhnyky search include the chapel’s foundation, a utility building, and a stone pavement.
- Participating experts hail from Ukraine’s Volyn Antiquities Institute, Poland’s Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, and the Freedom and Democracy Foundation.
This investigation forms part of a broader effort to honor and remember those lost in World War II, underscoring its significance to both Ukraine and Poland. The collaboration highlights the importance of international cooperation in preserving historical memory. Upcoming search phases will incorporate advanced technology, potentially streamlining the discovery and identification of victims’ remains.
The ongoing search efforts in Puzhnyky highlight the broader challenges faced in uncovering the tragic history of World War II victims across Ukraine. Similar initiatives, such as the recent excavations in Laskiv village, aim to identify burial sites of those who suffered during the conflict, showcasing the continued commitment to honor and remember these lost lives.