The Kharkiv period in the activities of ukrainian ambassadors of the first convocation to the Second Polish Republic sejm.

Abstract

Aim of the study. The biography of a left-wing Ukrainian ambassadors group of the first convocation to the Parliament of the Second Polish Republic is traced, with emphasis on the preconditions and reasons for their departure to Soviet Ukraine and their activities during the Kharkiv period, which ended with their arrest and execution.

The research methodology is based on analytical and chronological methods, structuring, critical approaches in the analysis of historical documents.

Scientific novelty. The identification and verification of materials from archival criminal cases on a group of Ukrainian ambassadors to the Sejm of the Second Polish Republic of the first convocation made it possible to reconstruct the Kharkiv period of their activities and establish their fate after their departure to Soviet Ukraine.

Conclusions. In the Parliament of the Second Polish Republic in its first convocation (1922-1927), a group of Ukrainian ambassadors representing the western Ukrainian lands and holding radical left-wing positions was formed. Considering internal and external circumstances, they left the Ukrainian parliamentary representation, formed a social democratic faction, and later a communist faction. Active public figures, who were involved in the the First World War and the Ukrainian Revolution, got a mandate, organised embassy meetings, submitted individual interpellations, group deputy appeals, spoke from the Sejm tribune, trying to defend the rights of the Ukrainian population in Poland. Their dissemination of radical left-wing ideas led to difficult relations with the Polish authorities, resulting in detentions and short-term arrests. Five ambassadors, who had established contacts with the Soviet consulate, chose the Ukrainian SSR as their future home and venue for their activities. One of them died shortly after leaving, as a result of illness. The other four, after briefly collaborating with the communist regime, were accused of belonging to the mythical «Ukrainian Military Organisation» and sentenced. During the Great Terror, they were once again sentenced and shot on charges of collaborating with foreign intelligence services.