STEPAN BANDERA'S SAFEGUARDS: ACHIEVEMENTS AND DEFEATS (1945 – 1959)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24919/2519-058x.9.150352Keywords:
security, Security Service, OUN Overseas Security Service, KGB agents, assassinations, public trial, provocations.Abstract
The purpose of the study is to elucidate the structure principles and activities of the security units which served for the leader of the overseas part of Organization of the Ukrainian Nationalists (hereinafter – ZCh OUN), Stepan Bandera. Another task of this publication is to analyze planned and committed attempts on his life. The methodology of the research is based on a combination of general scientific (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and special-historical (historical-genetic, historical-typological, historical-systematic) methods with the principles of historicism, systemicity, scientism and verification. The scientific novelty of the study is that for the first time in Ukrainian liberation movement historiography the structure and peculiarities of the functioning of the ZCh OUN leader’s security guards have been clarified, on the basis of previously unknown archival documents. The coverage of this topic not only supplements the biographical research devoted to Stepan Bandera but also considers the recondite episodes of the ZCh OUN Security Service (hereinafter – SB) activity. Conclusion. The analysis of Stepan Bandera security guards’ activity reveals both its advantages and disadvantages acquired during its advance. It was ascertained that the security unit was a part of the SB ZCh OUN. The first guard-commander was Mykhailo Banias – «Grytsko», he headed several junior guards. After him, the previously mentioned post was temporarily occupied by: Andriy Pelenychka – «Plevak», Yaroslav Bychkovych and Myron Karpynets. Vasyl Zbrozhyk – «Gayokha» was the last Bandera’s security guard supervisor, Vasyl Shushko was his last personal guardian, Vasyl Skolozdra was his driver and Dmytro Myskiv was his family security guard. Notwithstanding certain specialization pattern, the security guards functions were not quite clear and often duplicated. During 15 years of work, the SB ZCh OUN had succeeded in neutralizing more than five assassinations attempts on Stepan Bandera. Nevertheless, given the inadequacy of forces and capabilities, the confrontation between SB and KGB (Committee for State Security of the Soviet Union) could not have lasted for too long.
References
ASZRU – Arkhiv Sluzhby zovnishnoi rozvidky Ukrainy [Archive of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine]. [in Russian]
Vasyl Zbrozhyk, «Zenko», «Vladko» – voiak UPA [Vasyl Zbrozhyk – «Gayokha», «Zenko», «Vladko» – UPA soldier]. Lviv, 1998. 60 s. [in Ukrainian]
Viedienieiev, Bystrukhin, 2007 – Viedienieiev D., Bystrukhin H. Dvobii bez kompromisiv. Protyborstvo spetspidrozdiliv OUN ta radianskykh syl spetsoperatsii. 1945 – 1980-ti roky [A duel without compromises. The confrontation between the OUN Security Service subdivisions and the Soviet intelligence forces. 1945 – 1980s]. Kyiv, K.I.S., 2007. 568 s. [in Ukrainian]
Viedienieiev, Lysenko, 2009 – Viedienieiev D., Lysenko O. Orhanizatsiia ukrainskykh natsionalistiv i zarubizhni spetssluzhby (1920 – 1950-ti rr.) [Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and foreign intelligences (1920 – 1950’s)] // Ukrainskyi istorychnyi zhurnal. 2009. № 3. S. 132–146. [in Ukrainian]
Vidiishov u zasvity sviatoi pamiati Vasyl Shushko [He passed away, dedicated to the holy memory of Vasyl Shushko] // Shliakh Peremohy. 2006. 10 travnia. S. 15. [in Ukrainian]
HDA SBU – Haluzevyi derzhavnyi arkhiv Sluzhby bezpeky Ukrainy [Sectoral State Archive of Security Service of Ukraine]. [in Russian]
Haidenroiter, 2007 – Haidenroiter R. Pidhotovka ta zdiisnennia zamakhu na Stepana Banderu 1959 r. v dzerkali miunkhenskykh politsiinykh aktiv [Preparation and commission of an assassination attempt on Stepan Bandera life in 1959 displayed in the Munich Police acts] // Ukrainskyi vyzvolnyi rukh: nauk. zb. Lviv, 2007. Zbirnyk 11. S. 211–220. [in Ukrainian]
Hałagida, 2005 – Hałagida I. Prowokacja «Zenona». Geneza, przebieg i skutki operacji MBP o kryptonimie «C-1» przeciwko banderowskiej frakcji OUN i wywiadowi brytyjskiemu (1950 – 1954) [«Zenon’s» provocation. The genesis, course and activity directions of the MBP code-named «С-1» against the Bandera faction of the OUN and the British intelligence (1950 – 1954)]. Warszawa, ІNP, 2005. 318 s. [in Ukrainian]
Homziak, Prodanyk, 2015 – Homziak I., Prodanyk D. Tovarystvo kolyshnikh voiakiv Ukrainskoi povstanskoi armii v Kanadi. Istoriia v «obizhnykakh» (1952 – 1993) [Former Ukrainian Insurgent Army Soldiers Society in Canada. History in «obizhnyks» (newsletters) (1952 – 1993)]. Toronto, Lviv, Litopys UPA, 2015. Tom 51. 533 s. [in Ukrainian]
Hordasevych, 2009 – Hordasevych H. Zamakh na Nezalezhnist [Attempt on Independence] // Viisko Ukrainy. 2009. № 10. S. 31–33. [in Ukrainian]
Hunas, 2017 – Hunas A. Stepan Bandera: novi vrazhaiuchi podrobytsi [Stepan Bandera: New impressive details] // Ekspres. 2017. 31 bereznia. S. 4. [in Ukrainian]
Dzhuhalo, 1973 – Dzhuhalo S. Za lashtunkamy vertepu ZCh OUN [ZCh OUN behind the scenes of nativity Scene]. Kyiv, Tovarystvo Ukraina, 1973. 44 s. [in Ukrainian]
Ex – KGB agent reported in S. Africa. Central Intelligence Agency. URL: https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP90-00552R000605700086-1.pdf [in English]
Kipiani, 2012 – Kipiani V. «Pravda pro te, khto naspravdi vbyv Stepana Banderu. Chorni dila helenivskoi rozvidky» [«The Truth About Who Really Assassinated Stepan Bandera. Black Acts of the Galen’s Intelligence»]. URL: http://www.istpravda.com.ua/reviews/2012/02/26/74548/ [in Ukrainian]
Klochynska, 2003 – Klochynska M. Okhoronets Stepana Bandery napysav knyzhku [Guardian of Stepan Bandera wrote a book] // Ekspres. 2003. 8 bereznia. S. 5. [in Ukrainian]
Kostiv-Huska, 2007 – Kostiv-Huska H. Posmertna zghadka slavnoi pamiati Vasylia Shushka [Posthumous mention about Vasyl Shushko glorious memory] // Shliakh Peremohy. 2007. 30 travnia. S. 11. [in Ukrainian]
Kravchenko, 2013 – Kravchenko Ya. Ukrainskyi nekropol u Miunkheni [Ukrainian necropolis in Munich] // Den. 2013. 21 zhovtnia. S. 4. [in Ukrainian]
Mandzii, 2004 – Mandzii I. Osobystyi okhoronets Stepana Bandery Vasyl Shushko: «Taki liudy, yak Bandera, narodzhuiutsia raz na sto rokiv» [Personal guardian of Stepan Bandera, Vasyl Shushko: «Such personalities as Bandera are born once in a hundred years»] // Vilne zhyttia. 2004. 20 lystopada. S. 4. [in Ukrainian]
Moroz, 2014 – Moroz V. Mykola Levytskyi – «Zhuber» [Mykola Levytskyi – «Zhuber»]. URL: http://ukrnationalism.com/history/826-mykola-levytskyi-zhuber.html [in Ukrainian]
Mudryk, 1993 – Mudryk S. Sluzhba bezpeky revoliutsiinoi OUN u borotbi z NKVD-NKHB-KHB [Security Service of Revolutionary OUN in the fight against NKVD-NKHB-KHB]. Ternopil, 1993. 84 s. [in Ukrainian]
Mudryk, 1996 – Mudryk S. Zakordonni chastyny OUN: vnutrishni spravy i diialnist v emihratsii (prychynky do istorii) [OUN overseas parts: internal affairs and activities in emigration (preconditions to history)]. Lviv, Halytska vydavnycha spilka, 1996. 110 s. [in Ukrainian]
Mudryk, 1999 – Mudryk S. Spohady pro Stepanu Banderu [Memories about Stepan Bandera]. Lviv, Halytska vydavnycha spilka, 1999. 48 s. [in Ukrainian]
Patryliak, 2011 – Patryliak I. Rebet Lev [Rebet Lev] // Politychna entsyklopediia. Red. kol.: Yu. Levenets (holova), Yu. Shapoval (zast. holovy) ta in. Kyiv, Parlamentske vydavnytstvo, 2011. S. 626. [in Ukrainian]
Posivnych, 2008 – Posivnych M. Stepan Bandera – zhyttia, prysviachene svobodi [Stepan Bandera, a life dedicated to freedom]. – Toronto; Lviv: Litopys UPA, 2008. 110 s. [in Ukrainian]
Posivnych, Brelius, 2013 – Posivchnych M., Brelius V. Narys zhyttia Darii Rebet – «Orlian» [Essay on the life of Daria Rebet – «Orlian»]. Toronto; Lviv: Litopys UPA, 2013. Knyha 26 (podii i liudy). 110 s. [in Ukrainian]
Rozvidka i proty rozvidka (Korotkyi narys opratsovanyi Sluzhboiu Bezpeky). Vyshkilni materialy. Z kursu vlashtovanoho provodom ZCh OUN [Intelligence and counterintelligence (A brief essay prepared by the Security Service). Training materials. From the course organized by the ZCh OUN]. Kn. 2. Miunkhen, Vydannia orhanizatsiino-kadrovoi referentury, 1958. 144 s. [in Ukrainian].
Stepan Bandera u dokumentakh radianskykh orhaniv derzhavnoi bezpeky (1939 – 1959) [Stepan Bandera in the documents of the Soviet state security bodies (1939 – 1959)]. Redaktsiina rada: V. Viatrovych, S. Kokin, V. Serhichuk, N. Serdiuk. Kyiv, PP Serhiichuk M.I., 2009. T. 3. 647 s. [in Ukrainian]
Ukrainska Holovna Vyzvolna Rada [Ukrainian Supreme Liberation Council] / Uporiadnyky: P. Y. Potichnyi, M. Posivnych. Toronto-Lviv, Litopys UPA, 2009. Knyha 7 (podii i liudy). 135 s. [in Ukrainian]
Faizulin, Hinda – Faizulin Ya., Hinda V. Ukraina u vohni mynuloho stolittia: postati, fakty, versii [Ukraine in the fire of the last century: figures, facts, versions]. Kharkiv, Klub simeinoho dozvillia, 2015, 252 s. [in Ukrainian]
Farion, 2008 – Farion I. «Shchob vriatuvaty Banderu, udar avto pryiniav na sebe» [«To save Bandera he took a car blow on himself»]. URL: http://archive.li/dpcg4 [in Ukrainian]
Flys, 2008 – Flys S. Patriot z Dory – spivrobitnyk Providnyka OUN [Patriot from Dora – employee of the OUN Leader] // Halychyna. 2008. 7 serpnia. S. 4. [in Ukrainian]
Chastyi, 2007 – Chastyi R. Stepan Bandera: myfu, lehendy, deistvytelnost [Stepan Bandera: myths, legends, reality]. Kharkov, Folyo, 2007. 382 s. [in Russian]
Shushko, 2000 – Shushko V. Zavdannia vykonav [Task completed]. Lviv, Misioner, 2000. 307 s. [in Ukrainian]
Shushko, 2004 – Shushko V. «Iak osobystomu okhorontsiu, Bandera doviriav meni absoliutno» [«As a personal bodyguard, Bandera absolutely trusted me»] // Misto. 2004. 18 serpnia. S. 5. [in Ukrainian]
Shushko, 2005 – Shushko V. Ya buv osobystym okhorontsem Stepana Bandery [I was a personal guardian of Stepan Bandera] // Nova doba. 2005. 21 sichnia. S. 6. [in Ukrainian]
