Nazi-Led Ukrainian Military Monument Removed from Ontario

A long-standing controversy surrounding a monument honoring a Nazi-led military unit of Ukrainian soldiers has culminated in its removal from St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery in Oakville, Ontario.

The monument paid tribute to the First Ukrainian Division, a unit associated with the Nazis during World War II, prompting outrage and calls for its removal. The unit, known as the Waffen-SS Galicia Division and the SS 14th Waffen Division, has been criticized for its involvement in war crimes committed during the Holocaust.

The monument’s removal follows heightened scrutiny after veteran Yaroslav Hunka, a former member of the unit, received a standing ovation in the Canadian House of Commons, leading to the resignation of Liberal MP Anthony Rota as speaker. Rabbi Stephen Wise and advocacy groups have long campaigned for the monument’s removal, denouncing it as a glorification of a dark chapter in history.

First Ukrainian Division who initially funded its establishment in 1988

The decision to take down the monument, attributed to the need for repairs, came after consultations with descendants of the First Ukrainian Division who initially funded its establishment in 1988. While the cemetery has not confirmed if the monument will be reinstated, Wise advocated for its placement in museums as a historical artifact.

The monument, subject to vandalism and defacement in recent years, faced further controversy when images of Neo-Nazis standing beside it surfaced, underscoring the ongoing tensions surrounding its presence. Wise expressed relief at the monument’s removal, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic values and preserving historical accuracy.

The removal of the divisive monument marks a pivotal moment in addressing the contentious legacy of the First Ukrainian Division and its connection to Nazi atrocities, resonating with wider debates on memory, accountability, and remembrance in Canadian society.