Maksym Skorupsky

Education

Born in the village of Antonivtsi, Volhynian Governorate, Russian Empire (now Ternopil oblast, Ukraine), he studied at the Lviv University before his studies were terminated and he was called up for military service in the Polish Army.

Career

He was an officer in the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UIA) known under the name “Maks” in UIA-South. In 1943 he operated in area south of Rivne in the military group (division) “Bohun”. On May 3, he participated in the assault on Polish village Kuty during the massacres of Poles in Volhynia.

At least 53 Poles were killed.

On February 29, 1944, Skorupsky took part in the attack on Nikolai Vatutin, a battle near the village of Myliatyn against the group SMERSH. On 12 March 1944, kurin of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army under his command mourdered Poles in Pidkamin. Estimates of victims include 150 and more than 250.

After the battle, the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs burned down the villages of Hurby and Antonivets. In 1944, he emigrated to Austria and from there in 1948 to the United States, where he settled in New Jersey.

He died in Trenton, New Jersey.

Skorulsky is known for numerous published articles of reminiscences regarding his activities in the UIA and his book of memoirs, Туди, де бiй за волю ("There, where there is a battle for freedom").

Achievements

• Skorupsky took part in the Battle at Hurby, April 21–25, 1944, against soldiers of the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs, which was a tactical win for the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs.

Membership

Skorupsky was not a member of OUN, but was a supporter of Andriy Melnyk.