Ukraine allowed Poland to conduct exhumation work in 2026: where the searches will take place

Exhumation work in Ukraine

According to Главком: The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine has granted permission to conduct exhumation searches in 2026 in the Ternopil and Volyn regions. These works will take place in the territory of the former village of Puzhnyky, as well as in the former colonies of Ostrivky and Volya Ostrovecka. This decision was made possible due to agreements reached by the Ukrainian-Polish working group on issues of historical memory.

Agreements and cooperation

The agreements stipulating the conduct of exhumations were recorded in a joint communiqué in 2025. A meeting between the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and the head of Poland Karol Nawrocki, during which these issues were discussed, took place on December 19 in Warsaw. Earlier, Ukraine had already granted Poland permission to conduct searches in the village of Uhly in Rivne region.

Thus, the exhumation work in 2026 in the Ternopil and Volyn regions is a continuation of cooperation between Ukraine and Poland in the field of studying historical memory.

These exhumation works may help restore historical justice and honor the memory of the victims who became part of the shared history of both countries. Cooperation between Ukraine and Poland in this area is important not only for scientific research but also for strengthening interstate relations, which can have long-term positive effects for both nations.