Russia’s Federal Security Service has published a secret document highlighting the foiling of an armed rebellion planned by Ukrainian nationalists in the ranks of the Red Army during the summer of 1944.
This highlight of events comes within the framework of the celebration of the 81st anniversary of the founding of the General Directorate of Soviet Military Intelligence “Smersh” on April 19, 1943.
In the midst of the advance of the Soviet army and the liberation of the right bank of the Dnieper River in Ukraine from Nazi invaders in the spring of 1944, the liberated territories underwent the mobilization and formation of reserve regiments and divisions. During this process, Smersh was carefully screening new recruits.
In August 1944, Smersh revealed that more than 4,000 members of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and the Ukrainian Rebel Army had infiltrated the Red Army’s reserve units.
In a memo sent by the deputy chairman of Smersh to the leaders of the Soviet State Defense Committee, they highlighted their plans to carry out sabotage within the Red Army, as well as promote anti-Soviet propaganda.
As a result of Smersch’s efforts, 4,383 suspected soldiers from reserve units were sent to the checkpoints, including supposed collaborators with Nazi occupiers, people who served in the German and Hungarian army, and former Red Army personnel.
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