ORGANIZATION OF UKRAINIAN NATIONALISTS Meaning and
Definition
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The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) refers to a political movement that originated in Ukraine during the early 20th century. The OUN was established in 1929 and aimed to assert the aspirations of Ukraine as a sovereign nation and to ensure the preservation of Ukrainian culture, language, and identity. However, the organization went through various transformations throughout its existence.
Initially, the OUN was a revolutionary nationalist movement that sought to achieve independence for Ukraine from the Soviet Union and Poland. It employed various methods, including political activism and armed resistance. The organization's ideology was influenced by a blend of nationalism, socialism, and anti-Semitism.
During World War II, the OUN divided into two factions known as the OUN-Melnyk and the OUN-Bandera. The OUN-Bandera, led by Stepan Bandera, collaborated with Nazi Germany in the hope of gaining Ukrainian independence. This alliance led to controversial actions, including the participation of certain OUN members in the Holocaust.
After the war, the OUN continued to operate as an underground movement, fighting against Soviet rule in Ukraine until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Today, the OUN remains a significant and debated part of Ukrainian history, as its legacy is intertwined with both the fight for Ukrainian independence and its collaboration with Nazi Germany during World War II.
