Western Operational Group (Ukrainian Insurgent Army)

The Western Operational Group of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (), also known as UPA-West (), was one of the three operational groups of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

History

UPA-West was established in December 1943 as one of the UPA's three operational groups, alongside and UPA-North. A fourth operational group, , was planned but never realised.

UPA-West was formed as a successor to the (UNS), a unit of the Organisation of Ukrainian Nationalists. It retained the leadership of the UNS (including leader ), as well as the right to use the name of the UNS. At lower levels, the transition from the UNS to UPA-West took until March 1944.

UPA-West grew to become one of the largest and most effective groups of the UPA (in particular, the 4th Military District), and the operational group was assisted logistically by the OUN, which provided food and weaponry and organised recruitment efforts. However, with the gradual decline of the UPA insurgency, it would be eventually cease to function in 1949, and Vasyl Sydor (UPA-West's commander since 1947) was killed in combat with the NKVD.

Structure

At its founding, the Western Operational Group had six military districts:

1. (also known as Bashta), under the command of , oversaw units in and around the city of Lviv.
2. (also known as Buh), under the command of , oversaw units in Lviv Oblast.
3. (also known as Lysonia), under the command of , oversaw units in Ternopil Oblast.
4. (also known as Hoverla), under the command of , oversaw units in Stanislaviv Oblast.
5. (also known as Makivka), under the command of , oversaw units in Drohobych Oblast.
6. (also known as Sian), under the command of , oversaw units in Zakerzonia.

An additional two military districts in Bukovina and Carpathian Ruthenia were planned, but never came to fruition.

References