General Havrylo Bazylskyi: The UNA Commander Who Forged a Ukrainian Division

Havrylo Makarovych Bazylskyi

According to Велика українська енциклопедія: Havrylo Makarovych Bazylskyi, a Ukrainian military leader and General-Chorunzhyi of the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic, was born on March 25, 1880, in the village of Sokilivka, in what is now the Uman district of Cherkasy Oblast, Ukraine. His life was profoundly shaped by the military conflicts that engulfed Ukraine in the early 20th century. His story is part of the broader struggle for Ukrainian statehood following the collapse of the Russian Empire.

In 1917, Bazylskyi spearheaded the 'Ukrainianization' of the 65th Infantry Division, a critical move in building a distinct Ukrainian military force. Demonstrating his commitment to the cause of Ukrainian independence, he formally handed over the division to Ukrainian command in March 1918. He then served as acting chief of this division within the armed forces of the Ukrainian State (the Hetmanate) under Pavlo Skoropadskyi until June 1918.

Death and Legacy

Havrylo Bazylskyi died on October 17, 1937, in the city of Kalisz, within the Greater Poland Voivodeship of Poland. His contribution to the history of the Ukrainian military remains a significant subject for scholars studying the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic.

Bazylskyi's role in the Ukrainian military movement is crucial for understanding the development of national armed forces in the turbulent years after the 1917 Revolution. His efforts to 'Ukrainianize' army units reflect the broader aspirations of Ukrainians for independence and the creation of their own military structures, which laid a foundation for future struggles for statehood. Examining his biography and actions provides deeper insight into the complex processes unfolding in Ukraine during that era.