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Petr VoynovskiyUkrainian nationalist military leader.
Date of Birth: 08.09.1913
Country:  Romania |
Content:
- Ukrainian Nationalist Military Figure
- Early Life and Military Service
- Involvement in Ukrainian Nationalism
- Collaboration During World War II
- Command of SS Battalion
- Post-War Activities
- Life in the United States
- Legacy in Independent Ukraine
Ukrainian Nationalist Military Figure
Vasyl Voynovsky was a Ukrainian nationalist and military figure who lived in Bukovina, a territory that was under Romanian rule until 1940.
Early Life and Military Service
From 1934-1936 and 1939-1940, Voynovsky served in the Romanian army as a sub-lieutenant. During this time, he was recruited by the Romanian secret service, Siguranța. He was also involved in the Ukrainian youth organization Plast.
Involvement in Ukrainian Nationalism
In June 1932, Voynovsky joined the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) under the pseudonyms "Vasyl" and "Pard." In 1941, he aligned himself with Andriy Melnyk and became the military referent for the OUN in Bukovina and Bessarabia.
Collaboration During World War II
During World War II, Voynovsky played a key role as a collaborator. He was the founder and first commander of the Bukovina Kurin, a paramilitary unit that participated in several punitive actions in Ukrainian cities.
Voynovsky also worked against supporters of Stepan Bandera and provided information to the Germans about them. This led to his recruitment by the Gestapo under the alias "Maxim."
Command of SS Battalion
After the disbandment of the Bukovina Kurin, Voynovsky was appointed commander of a punitive SS battalion with the rank of Sturmbannführer. Simultaneously, he remained the military referent for the OUN (Melnyk).
Post-War Activities
In the summer of 1943, Voynovsky was transferred to Poland and then France, where he participated in anti-partisan activities. In 1945, he fled to the American occupation zone.
Life in the United States
From 1949 onwards, Voynovsky lived in the United States. He retired in 1979.
Legacy in Independent Ukraine
After Ukraine gained independence in 1991, there were publications in the Ukrainian press that praised Voynovsky as a hero. His memoirs were published in 1999.
