At the age of 25, the centurion of the UPA Myroslav Simchych, under the pseudonym “Kryvonis”, led the battle near Kosmach, then spent 32 years in Soviet concentration camps as a political prisoner.
The head of the Commission on Culture, Information Policy and Promotion of the Lviv Regional Council Sviatoslav Sheremet congratulated the legendary 100-year-old UPA on the anniversary of the Kolomyia city history museum. He emphasized that the battle near Kosmach was one of the most successful in the history of the UPA, because more than four hundred NKVD fighters died there.
“Back in the 40s of the last century, Myroslav Simchych showed how to fight for Ukraine. The battle near Kosmach will still be studied in the military academies of the world, because at that time no one managed to destroy so many enemies at once. Several years ago, specialists of the “Dolya” Memorial and Search Center, under the guidance of Doctor of Historical Sciences Yaroslav Onyshchuk and Professor of the American University Andrian Mazia, investigated the battlefield near Kosmach. Myroslav Simchych helped historians restore important facts, told how the UPA units held fire lines,” Svyatoslav Sheremeta emphasized.
On behalf of the Lviv Regional Council, Svyatoslav Sheremet handed over the “80th anniversary of the creation of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army” to the wife of Myroslav Simchych Raisa.
Myroslav Simchich fought in the UPA, engaged in state building and still popularizes the legacy of the UPA. He spent many years in the camps, but returned, started a family, raised his children and grandchildren, and led an active public life.
According to Sviatoslav Sheremety, it is an honor to hand over an award from the Lviv region to a person who, through his life, showed how to fight for Ukraine and became an example for future generations. Thanks to “Kryvonos” and its comrades from the UPA, Ukrainian defenders are now fighting so bravely, driving the Moscow occupiers from our land. The son of Myroslav Simchych, Ihor, volunteered to serve in the “Azov” regiment and fought in the Zaporozhye region.
“I joined the ranks of the Armed Forces, because I believe that all men must now defend Ukraine, each in his place. I always remind myself of my father’s life credo – “do what you can and then something will come out of it.” Everyone should act for the sake of Ukraine’s victory, – stressed Ihor Simchych.
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Myroslav Simchych is a Ukrainian military and public figure, a member of the UPA, a political prisoner. Knight of the Orders of “Freedom” and “For Merit”, honorary citizen of Kolomyia, Kosmach and Lviv. Last year, by Presidential Decree, he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the “Golden Star” order.