Ukrainian-Polish Expedition in Lviv Uncovers 133 Military Graves from 1939 Conflict

Joint Ukrainian-Polish Effort at Lviv’s Holoskiv Cemetery

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: A collaborative Ukrainian-Polish archaeological mission spent over a month excavating the old Holoskiv Cemetery in Lviv. The team uncovered the remains of 133 soldiers from both the Polish Army and the German Wehrmacht, who lost their lives during the battles for Lviv in September 1939. The excavation covered an area of approximately 260 square meters. All soldiers were buried in closely packed rows of three without typical pathways separating the graves.

Findings from the Exhumation

During the dig, nearly 2,900 artifacts were recovered, including fragments of military uniforms, equipment, religious symbols, and personal belongings. Among the Polish soldiers, seven identification tags were found, six of which contained inscribed information. One tag was blank, and a Greek Catholic cross was discovered near one set of remains. As for the German soldiers, seven had identification tags, all traced back to the 98th Regiment of the 1st Mountain Division of the Wehrmacht. The German remains were transferred to the Volksbund organization for reburial in the village of Potelychi, Lviv region.

Bone samples from the Polish soldiers were collected for DNA testing aimed at identifying the fallen. After the completion of these studies, the Polish remains will be reinterred at a cemetery in Mostyska. A preliminary list of 76 potentially identified Polish servicemen has been compiled. The search and exhumation operations began on August 25 with around 30 specialists participating from the Ukrainian Society for the Search for War Victims “Memory,” the Ukrainian and Polish Institutes of National Remembrance, as well as the memorial-search center “Dola.”

These activities were carried out under permits granted by Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture, the State Interdepartmental Commission, and the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance. Initial investigations at this cemetery were launched by the Polish Institute of National Remembrance back in 2010. In 2019, joint efforts continued in partnership with the Ukrainian “Memory” Society and the Lviv Children’s Scout Troop “Barć” of the Polish Scouting Association in Western Ukraine.

In 2024, the “Memory” Society petitioned Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture to resume preservation work on Polish military graves. Following an official request from the Polish side, exhumation activities began in 2025. The first stage of reburial took place in August 2025 at the Zboiska cemetery, where remains of 34 soldiers were discovered.

“We have collected bone samples from the exhumed remains to conduct DNA analyses. Our goal is to identify those buried here, establish their names, and locate their relatives. At present, we have compiled a list of 76 names,” explained expedition representative Dominika Siemińska.

The cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish teams was praised for its professionalism and smooth coordination. Siemińska expressed gratitude to the Lviv City Council for providing security and support, enabling the team to work without interruption. Marianna Moroz, representing the Lviv City Council, highlighted the city’s active role in securing the site and maintaining public order during the operation. “This collaboration is invaluable as we uncover our shared history and ensure every individual is respectfully honored,” she commented.

This expedition marks a significant milestone in restoring historical memory of those who fell during the conflict more than 80 years ago. It reflects the ongoing commitment of both nations to preserve their intertwined history and pay tribute to the fallen. Importantly, identifying the deceased and restoring their names to their families carries deep humanitarian significance, especially amid the contemporary challenges and historical wounds faced by the region.

As the quest for historical accountability continues, recent developments have also shed light on the status of previously missing personnel. The confirmed captivity of 32 Ukrainian soldiers has been added to the unified registry, highlighting the ongoing efforts to document and recognize the sacrifices made by military personnel. For more on this significant update, see the latest information regarding the missing soldiers.