General of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Oleksandr Pylkevych (“camp” period of life and activity in Poland, 1921-1922)

Abstract

The article analyses the last period of life and activity of the head of the Separate Corps of Border Guards General O. Pylkevych during the internment of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in camps in Poland (1921–1922). Being in various command positions, O. Pylkevych always remained true to himself and his own principles – in relation to subordinates he was consistently demanding and unyielding, while adhering to the requirements of military statutes. O. Pylkevych believed that one of the basic requirements during military service is the discipline of officers and Cossacks, their observance of subordination, their conscientious execution of all orders of direct commanders and senior military commanders. It is necessary to emphasize the sincere patriotism of O. Pylkevych and his complete devotion to the ideas of the UPR – he made every effort to unite the nationally conscious core of the Ukrainian army, supporting the idea of creating a community of officers as an additional tool to influence the demoralized part of the camp. The general also took care of the development of public centres designed to intensify cultural and educational work in the ranks of the interned troops of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. But the general did not always have enough tact and diplomacy in communicating with certain representatives of the Polish military authorities in the camps, and his excessive categoricalness sometimes caused disapproval among some of the top officials of the UPR Army. As a result of O. Pylkevych’s inability to build business relations with the Polish camp authorities, he was twice removed from the post of head of the internee groups in Lancut. At the same time, it is necessary to emphasize the expressive patriotism of O. Pylkevych – he made every effort to unite the nationally conscious core of the Ukrainian army in the camps, supporting the idea of creating a community of officers as an additional tool to influence the demoralized part of the camp. The general also took care of the development of public centres designed to intensify cultural and educational work in the ranks of the interned troops of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. Throughout his stay in the camps, O. Pylkevych was an example of conscientious performance of military duty, subordinating his life to the interests of the interned Ukrainian army.