This month, Ukraine will remember the victims of war. 85 years ago, on June 22, 1941, the German-Soviet war began. The invasion of the Third Reich troops once again turned the territory of Ukraine into a field of fierce battles. This period became one of the most tragic pages in history, accompanied by occupation and enormous human losses…
That year, the USSR did not believe in the German attack. People continued to make plans, school graduations were held across the country, and students went on summer internships. For many, the war was far away; it was something that would affect someone else. Moreover, for spreading rumors that sowed “panic” or undermined faith in the Soviet system on the eve and during the war, people were convicted under an article about counter-revolutionary agitation. For a single minute, as many researchers believe, Stalin did not believe that Hitler would dare to go to war with the USSR. After all, for several years Soviet propaganda emphasized that Adolf Hitler was an ally. In addition, in 1939-1940, the USSR officially recognized and established diplomatic relations with the states of the Hitler bloc and the puppet governments they supported: Slovakia, Manchukuo, the Vichy government in France.
Exhibit of the month – certificate of commendation of Zoya Isayevna Litynska – a symbol of peaceful life. The date of issue of the document is interesting – June 13, 1941. Zoya was born in the family of Doctor Isay and Polina Litynska, studied at secondary school No. 26 of Dnipropetrovsk in the Amur-Nizhnyodniprovsky district (now Dnipropetrovsk gymnasium No. 26 of the Dnipropetrovsk city council). In the summer of 1941, the girl graduated from the 8th grade, received a certificate of commendation for excellent academic performance and exemplary behavior. Literally in nine days, Nazi Germany will start a new war…
During the war, the Litynsky family managed to evacuate from Dnipropetrovsk to the Urals, and Polina Mikhailovna's mother was shot in the Botanical Garden on October 13-14, 1941.