{
  "id": 281294,
  "title": "55 remains found as Ukraine and Poland complete Volyn exhumations",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/55-remains-found-as-ukraine-and-poland-complete-volyn-exhumations",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T21:33:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Voice of Ukraine",
    "slug": "new-voice-of-ukraine",
    "url": "https://english.nv.ua/nation/55-remains-found-in-volyn-exhumations-50630913.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukrainian and Polish investigators have concluded excavations at two former villages in Volyn Oblast, discovering the remains of 55 individuals who perished during World War II, according to the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance and Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance, which announced the findings on August 7. From July 13 to August 7, specialists from Ukrainian firm Volyn Antiquities LLC collaborated with counterparts from the Polish Institute of National Remembrance and Wrocław Medical University at the sites of the former towns Volia Ostrovecka and Ostrivky. At Volia Ostrovecka, 48 sets of remains were unearthed, while Ostrivky yielded six sets.\n\nA further set of remains was also unearthed near the Ostrivky cemetery, adjacent to a memorial, though its burial date remains undetermined pending further investigation. Among the exhumed remains are individuals of various ages, including men, women, and children. The collected biological samples are undergoing DNA analysis; Polish experts are currently processing their samples.\n\nTomasz Tshaska, a representative of the Polish Institute of National Remembrance, explained that genetic material is extracted from each set of remains, and all work is meticulously documented through photographs and video recordings. Samples are securely sealed and forwarded to laboratories for comprehensive study. Historian Yaroslav Onyshchuk of Lviv National University posited that the majority of the discovered remains likely belong to Polish residents, citing personal artifacts such as Roman Catholic icons and crosses interred with the bodies. Some victims may have been Orthodox, though this remains uncertain.\n\nOnyshchuk further noted that Ukrainian villages in the region were also affected during the same period, citing Perykirky, approximately 2 kilometers from Volia Ostrovecka, which was allegedly razed. He also mentioned other affected towns such as Rivne, Polapy, and Sokil. Onyshchuk emphasized that Ukrainian burial sites in nearby villages have yet to be unearthed and advocated for expedited searches and reburials of Ukrainian victims.",
  "summary": "Ukrainian and Polish teams have successfully completed exhumations in Volyn Oblast, uncovering the remains of 55 individuals believed to have perished during World War II. The exhumations took place from July 13 to August 7, involving specialists from the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance, and Wrocław Medical University. The teams discovered 48 sets of remains at Volia Ostrovecka and six at Ostrivky, with additional samples collected for DNA testing. Historian Yaroslav Onyshchuk from Lviv National University suggested that most of the victims were likely Polish residents, citing personal items such as Roman Catholic icons and crosses found with the bodies. Onyshchuk also noted that Ukrainian villages in the area may have suffered during the same period, urging for the prioritization of searches and reburials of Ukrainian victims.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}