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During the war the great divide in Ukraine widened between those who hated the Communist regime and those who served it, and between those who joined the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and the OUN underground and those who fought to defeat Ukrainian nationalism.
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1942
28 July
Stalin signs order no. 227, which becomes known as “Not a single step backwards!”
Autumn
Military units of the OUN(b) and OUN(m), as well as the “Poliska Sich” under the command of T. Bulba-Borovets, launch their activity in the Volyn and Polisia regions. This marks the beginning of the formation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
1943
Spring
The OUN, under the leadership of Stepan Bandera, creates military units called the UPA.
19 April
A decree issued by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR introduces forced labor as a punishment for crimes committed in wartime. It is also used against collaborators of the enemy during reprisals and violent acts committed against the civilian population and captured Red Army soldiers.
18 August
Stepan Bandera's armed OUN units disarm Bulba-Borovets's “Poliska Sich.” Some of its members join the new, increasingly important UPA, which relies on the OUN network in the northwestern Ukrainian lands.
August
The structure of the UPA is finally established.
14 September
In order to establish state control of religious life, the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR issues a resolution creating a Council on the Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church, which is staffed with numerous local responsible officials.
October
Roman Shukhevych (nom de guerre: Taras Chuprynka) heads the Main Leadership of the OUN and the UPA.
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From an UPA appeal:
“Soldiers of the Red Army! Do not go against the people! Do not fight against insurgent attachments! Do not help the Kremlin tyrants to crush the revolution!
Death to Hitler and Stalin!
Death to the military enslavers of Berlin and Moscow! Down with the imperialist war! Long live the revolution of enslaved nations! Long live the independent states of all peoples! Long live peace and friendship of all nations!”
Billets, October 1943.
Supreme Command of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.
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