Kolky Republic (Ukrainian: Колківська Республіка) was a temporary state composed of five regions of Volyn, measuring approximately 2500 square kilometers,[2] created after being liberated from Nazi Germany in April 1943 by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and resistance fighters in Volyn.[1][2][3] The state was named after its capital, the village of Kolky.[1] It was proclaimed on 13 May 1943 and consisted of 40 villages near Kolky.[1] The republic had its own police force, ambulance service, court system and postal system and a counterintelligence unit that allegedly foiled a communist coup.[1] The state also had its own currency, bofon, with banknotes designed by Robert Lisovskyi.[1]

Kolky Republic
Колківська Республіка
13 May – 4 November 1943 (1943-05-13 – 1943-11-04)
Flag
Coat of arms
Anthem: Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy i slava, i volia
CapitalKolky
Common languagesUkrainian
GovernmentRepublic
Historical eraSecond World War
• Established
13 May 1943
• Disestablished
4 November 1943
CurrencyBofon[1]
  1. ...

On 13 June 1943 Ukrainian inhabitants of Kolky Republic burned Roman Catholic church in Kolky killing about 40 Poles.[4]

The Kolky Republic lasted until 4 November 1943, when it was retaken by Nazi Germany using artillery and air attacks.[2] During the German air raids, up to 500 residents of Kolky were killed and the town almost burned to the ground.[2]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f MacInnes, Kenneth (2023). When Russia Did Democracy. From St Vladimir to Tsar Putin. Amberley Publishing. p. 288. ISBN 9781398105454.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Republic of Kolkiv is the territory of Ukrainian freedom in the vortex of war". Ukrinform (in Ukrainian). 29 June 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  3. ^ "President takes part in celebration of the 67th anniversary of the UPA - Oct. 14, 2009". KyivPost. 2009-10-14. Retrieved 2022-06-06.
  4. ^ 1943 zbrodnia upa(in Polish) Archived 11 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine