Confrontation Between Special Services of the OUN Foreign Centers and KGB (1960-s – Early 1990-s)

Abstract

The aim of the study is to cover the confrontation between the special units of foreign centers of the OUN and the KGB in the 1960s – early 1990s.

The methodological basis of the study was the principles of scientific objectivity and historicism. The following general historical methods are used: historical-comparative, retrospective, problematic, structural.

The scientific novelty of the obtained results is determined by the fact that, having introduced into scientific circulation a significant number of unpublished archival documents and materials stored in the Sectoral State Archive of Security Service of Ukraine, we discovered the activities of the special services of the OUN foreign centers which were aimed at resisting the provocations organized by state security bodies of UkrSSR and their support for the dissident movement in the republic in that period of time.

Summary. Beginning in the 1960-s, the activities of the Security services of the OUN foreign units took place in close cooperation, primarily with the Regional Communications Office, the Ukrainian Youth Union, and the Anti-Bolshevik Bloc of Nations. During the period under review, the foreign OUN units faced the intensification of provocations organized by the state security bodies of the Ukrainian SSR, the purpose of which was to demoralize and split the diaspora. In an attempt to counter ideological sabotage, the esbists not only published a rebuttal in their press by thoroughly investigating each provocation and informing other OUN centers abroad about the results, but also carried out ideological subversive operations against the Soviet regime. Various international events, sports competitions, first of all, the Olympic Games became a convenient platform for the latter. The complex and lengthy KGB operational games caused significant damage to the OUN foreign centers. At the same time, the SB conducted their own operational games, relying on the support of the Ukrainian diaspora. Most OUN centers moved away from their radical slogans and focused on supporting dissidents in the UkrSSR, who were provided with various assistance. In the late 1980-s, the special services of the OUN foreign centers concentrated their efforts on supporting the mass protest movement in the republic. After Ukraine gained its independence, their leaders finally legalized their activity and further engaged in literary, scientific and social activities.