Reburial of OUN Leader Andriy Melnyk and His Wife Takes Place in Ukraine

Andriy Melnyk and Sofia Fedak-Melnyk Laid to Rest Anew

According to Главком: On May 25, 2026, the remains of Colonel of the Ukrainian People's Republic Army and head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists Andriy Melnyk, along with his wife Sofia Fedak-Melnyk, were reburied. The couple's remains were exhumed in Luxembourg in May 2026 and transported to Ukraine, where they were interred at the National Military Memorial Cemetery. This event marks a significant moment in Ukraine's ongoing efforts to honor figures from its independence struggle.

The Lives of Andriy Melnyk and Sofia Fedak-Melnyk

Andriy Melnyk was born in the Drohobych region and studied at the University of Vienna. Captured by Russian forces in 1916, he escaped the following year and went on to organize the Sich Riflemen unit in Kyiv. Sofia Fedak-Melnyk, born on October 30, 1901, in Lviv, was the daughter of Ukrainian lawyer Stepan Fedak. She studied economics at the Vienna Commercial Academy and co-founded the first Plast scouting group in Vienna. The couple met in Lviv in the early 1920s and married on February 28, 1929.

After the assassination of Yevhen Konovalets in 1938, Andriy Melnyk assumed leadership of the OUN. That same year, the couple left Ukraine. In July 1941, he wrote a protest against German plans. In 1944, both were sent to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, where Stepan Bandera was also held. After 1945, they settled in Luxembourg. Andriy Melnyk died on November 1, 1964, in Cologne, and Sofia Fedak-Melnyk passed away on July 31, 1990, in Luxembourg. They were originally buried there.

The reburial ceremony on May 25, 2026, was attended by:

• President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
• Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko
• Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk
• Third President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko
• Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated: 'This is something Ukrainians and Ukraine have long hoped to begin. Returning to our land, to our independent sovereign state – and with due honor – those who fought for Ukraine, who wanted independence for Ukraine.'

As part of the broader effort to repatriate Ukrainian heroes who championed the cause of independence, plans are underway to transport a tombstone created by Ukrainian sculptor Hryhorii Kruk to the village of Volya Yakubova in the Lviv region. This will mark another important chapter in recognizing and honoring prominent figures in Ukrainian history.

The reburial of Andriy Melnyk and Sofia Fedak-Melnyk underscores a pivotal event in Ukrainian history, symbolizing the restoration of memory for key activists who fought for Ukraine's independence. This step also reflects growing attention to historical heritage and the honoring of heroes who made significant contributions to the struggle for national identity. The planned relocation of Hryhorii Kruk's tombstone to the Lviv region highlights the importance of preserving historical memory for future generations.

The recent reburial of Andriy Melnyk and his wife marks a pivotal moment in Ukraine's efforts to commemorate its historical figures. For those interested in the background leading up to this event, a detailed account of their journey, including their initial burial in Luxembourg, can be found in our previous article about the upcoming reburial ceremony in Kyiv. This context provides a deeper understanding of their significance in Ukrainian history. Read more about it here.