On October 14, we celebrate four holidays at once. Intercession of the Theotokos, Day of the Ukrainian Cossacks, Defenders Day and the day of the creation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

First of all, the staff of Mezha would like to once again thank all those who are currently defending our land from the Russian invasion. To all the brave boys and girls at the front and in the rear who are bringing our victory closer. A low bow to you and eternal glory to the fallen heroes! Happy holiday to you!

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the creation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. And although some historians consider this date to be conventionally propagandistic and symbolic and move the founding period forward by about half a year, October 14, 1942, is still the official date of the creation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

It is believed that the Ukrainian Insurgent Army was active from 1942 to 1960, and after the assassination of Stepan Bandera in October 1959, it effectively ceased to exist. And yet, the last Ukrainian Insurgent Army fighter came out of the underground only in December 1991 (!), already after the declaration of Independence of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Insurgent Army could not win independence, the forces were too unequal in that battle. But it was their long-term resistance that laid the foundation on which the dissident movement of the 60s and 70s grew and the Independent State of Ukraine emerged.

A brief history of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) in this video by historian Volodymyr Vyatrovich.