Brotherhood in Arms: Ukraine and Poland Remember
On August 14 at 6:00 PM, joint Ukrainian-Polish commemorations are set to take place simultaneously in Warsaw, Kyiv, and Zhytomyr, marking 106 years since the pivotal events of 1920. That year saw soldiers of the Ukrainian People's Republic Army fight side by side with Polish troops against Bolshevik Russia. For many in Central and Eastern Europe, the conflict remains a powerful symbol of the region's resistance to Soviet expansion. The main ceremony will be held at the monument to the fighters for a Free Ukraine in Warsaw's Orthodox Cemetery in Wola, with Ukraine's ambassador Vasyl Bodnar in attendance. The events are organized by PLAST in Poland and the Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego (Polish Scouting Association).
In Polish national memory, the joint victory of Ukrainian and Polish forces in 1920 is remembered as the Miracle on the Vistula. Among the key operations of that campaign were the Kyiv offensive, the defense of Warsaw, and the battles near Zamość.
Those events remain a vital chapter in the shared history of both nations, who together stood guard over Warsaw.
Commemoration events will also be held in Kyiv beside the monument to Polish soldiers at Baikove Cemetery, as well as in Zhytomyr. The aim is to honor those who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom and independence, and to reinforce Ukraine-Poland brotherhood under the motto 'Together we will win!'.
Such shared remembrance is a powerful tool for deepening bilateral ties, especially amid today's security challenges. By honoring common history and fallen soldiers, Ukraine and Poland underscore the value of unity between nations striving for independence and liberty. These observances also help burnish the image of both countries internationally, showing that they stand together in difficult times.