Commemoration of the 142nd Anniversary of Petro Bolbochan’s Birth: Honoring a Prominent Ukrainian Military Leader in Kyiv
In Kyiv, on the eve of the 142nd anniversary of the birth of the renowned Ukrainian military figure and general Petro Bolbochan, a significant event took place to honor his memory.
The ceremony included laying flowers and an official memorial in the city center, aimed at restoring historical truth and engaging the public in the study of Ukraine’s heroic past.
This jubilee serves as a reminder of Bolbochan’s critical role during the Ukrainian Revolution of 1917–1921, contributing to Ukraine’s independence and achieving strategic military victories, notably as the commander of the 1918 Crimean operation, which successfully liberated Simferopol, Djankoy, and Bakhchisaray.
Participants included representatives of national institutions, military personnel, historians, patriotic clubs, and Crimean Ukrainians.
The memorial events concluded with laying flowers at Bolbochan’s monument, symbolizing his enduring influence in Ukraine’s struggle for independence.
According to the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, Petro Bolbochan was born on October 17 (October 5 old style) in 1883 in the village of Gidzeu, Khotyn County, Bessarabia Governorate, now known as Yariivka in the Chernivtsi region.
He originated from a family of Orthodox priest Fedor Bolbochan.
His military career began in the Russian army, where he served as an adjutant in the 38th Tobolsk Infantry Regiment.
Under the command of Colonel Mykola Eigel, he gained invaluable practical and theoretical military experience, which he later applied while helping to build the Ukrainian armed forces.
During 1917–1918, Bolbochan actively participated in forming the Ukrainian People’s Army (UPA) and fought against Bolsheviks in Kyiv and Volyn.
His most notable achievement was leading the Crimean operation, during which Ukrainian troops liberated key cities like Simferopol, Bakhchisaray, and Djankoy—an important step toward Ukraine’s independence.
Bolbochan was highly respected among his subordinates and consistently upheld the idea of an independent Ukraine.
His orders emphasized fighting against Soviet and monarchical influences, advocating for a democratic Ukrainian republic instead of a united Russia, be it monarchist or Bolshevik.
Despite numerous attempts to displace him, Bolbochan remained loyal to the state.
In June 1919, he was arrested on charges of attempting a coup, but he chose to face trial hoping to prove his innocence.
On June 28, 1919, a military court sentenced him to execution.
The name of Colonel Petro Bolbochan has been revived in Ukraine’s history, with memorial signs erected in his honor in 2005 and the first military monument in the world unveiled in Kyiv in 2020, as well as a bust in Kharkiv.
Many streets across Ukraine bear his name.
In 2020, his legacy was further recognized through the naming of the 3rd Special Operations Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine after him, which continues his traditions and symbolizes military honor and dedication.
Polkovnyk Bolbochan remains one of Ukraine’s most heroic and tragic figures.
His unwavering fight for Ukrainian independence ended not in battle against enemies but through political intrigue and internal conflicts within the UPR.
His heroic life continues to inspire modern Ukrainians and soldiers, reminding them of the sacrifices made for the country’s sovereignty.