Letter to Minister of Defence Requesting Review of Canadian Assistance to Ukrainian Military Unit Honouring the UPA
June 17, 2026
The Honourable David McGuinty, P.C., M.P.
Minister of National Defence
National Defence Headquarters
Ottawa, Ontario
David.McGuinty@parl.gc.ca
Dear Minister McGuinty,
On behalf of the Canadian Polish Congress, I am writing to express our profound concern regarding the recent decision of the President of Ukraine to grant a unit of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine the honorary designation "Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army" (UPA).
While we support Ukraine's fight against Russia's illegal and brutal invasion, the decision by President Volodymyr Zelensky to associate a military unit with the legacy of the UPA is deeply troubling to Poles in Canada and around the world. The UPA remains inextricably linked to the ethnic cleansing and mass murder of tens of thousands of Polish civilians during the Volhynia and Eastern Galicia massacres of 1943–1945. These atrocities constitute one of the darkest chapters in the history of Polish-Ukrainian relations and continue to be a source of profound pain for survivors, their descendants, and the Polish people.
Canada and Poland have been steadfast supporters of Ukraine and have provided significant military, financial, and humanitarian assistance since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. The Canadian Polish Congress has consistently supported Canada's efforts to assist Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty and freedom. It is precisely because of this support that we believe Canada must remain vigilant in ensuring that Canadian assistance is not directed toward military formations that commemorate organizations responsible for crimes against civilians.
Accordingly, we respectfully request that the Government of Canada review whether any Canadian military assistance, training, equipment, or other forms of cooperation are being provided to the Separate Special Operations Center "North" of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, recently granted the honorary designation "Named after the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army," and, if so, take appropriate measures to ensure that Canadian resources are not directed to the unit in question.
This request should not be interpreted as opposition to Ukraine's defence or to Canada's continued support for Ukraine or its people. Rather, it reflects the conviction that support for Ukraine and fidelity to historical truth are not mutually exclusive. Democratic nations must be capable of confronting difficult aspects of their history, particularly where those histories involve atrocities committed against civilian populations.
The Canadian Polish Congress remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine's right to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic future. We also remain grateful for Canada's leadership in supporting Ukraine, strengthening the security of Poland and NATO's eastern flank, and for the contributions of the Canadian Armed Forces to the defence of freedom in Europe.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Dominik Roszak
President, Canadian Polish Congress
