# UPA Lublin offensive

The Lublin offensive was a major military operation carried out by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army against the Home Army and Peasant Battalions in the Lublin Voivodeship, from April to May 1944.

## Prelude

In the spring of 1944, Stanisław Basaj was in conflict with AK leadership, due to Basaj withdrawing Ryś unit from Hrubieszów to Biłgorajskie, not agreed by AK leadership. Basaj moved his battalion to the Solska Forest under pressure of German units, which included Ukrainian collaborators. On March 27, Basaj with his battalion suffered a defeat at Łasków and Smoligów, these settlements were pacified by German units and Ukrainian collaborators. This move made by Basaj led to the weakening of Polish forces, forcing AK units to in Hrubieszów to withdraw from the south of the district to its western part (to the vicinity of Grabowiec). This led to Tomaszów AK units and Polish civilians left exposed from the east to Ukrainian insurgent attacks, which planned a major offensive for April. The strategic goal of UPA offensive was to eliminate AK district headquarters at Tomaszów, which were quartered in the Posadów manor. Additionally, to prevent further attacks on Ukrainian population, while driving out the Polish population.

## Offensive
### Initial fighting

On April 1, UPA insurgents captured Poturzyn and killed 162 civilians. On April 5, insurgents assaulted Podlod w, Żerniki, and Rokitno. Polish forces barely repelled the assaults, but lost Żerniki to insurgents. AK commanders Ryszard Suprymowicz “Zawisza” and Stanisław Pisarczyk “Malik” were severely wounded during the failed defense of Żerniki, but committed suicide to avoid getting captured. UPA killed 105 civilians in Łubcze. 18 civilians were killed by insurgents in Jarczów, Radków and Szlatyn. The clashes initially had inconclusive results, with 11 Ukrainian insurgents and 13 Polish soldiers killed.

### Easter fighting

On April 9, first day of the Easter, major fighting took place between Ukrainian insurgents and Polish armed units in the Tomaszów County. Insurgents opened fire from small arms, machine guns and mortars completely surprised the Polish units, allowing the insurgents to drive them out of the village and the Posadów farm, pushing them north towards the Żulicki forest. The difficult for insurgent attack was created by the increased fighting in Posadów forest and the Polish counterattack from the area of ​​Telatyn and Żulice. Insurgents retreated from Posadów farm. Insurgent "Holub" unit was fighting in the Posadów forest, while "Yevshana" unit reoccupied the Posadów farm, repelling the Polish assault using mortar, machine gun and small arms. German planes flew over and hit retreating Polish units. Insurgents set the Posadów farm on fire, burning the command post, warehouse and AK hospital before withdrawing. 4–6 Ukrainian insurgents, 14 Polish soldiers and up to 100 civilians were killed during Easter fighting.

### Further fighting

Ukrainian insurgents continued putting pressure on the Polish armed units, forcing them to retreat to the Huczwa River line, along with Polish civilians. Ukrainian document describes the joy of Ukrainian insurgents after these events: "News of our victory over the Poles immediately spread over almost the entire Kholm region. The population exulted. This was the first armed victory on this land since the times of Bohdan Khmelnytsky".
On April 17, insurgents killed 15 Polish soldiers in Rzeczki, while another UPA unit killed 30 soldiers in Zabuże. On April 19, insurgents liquidated Steniatyn without resistance. On April 27, insurgents killed 60 civilians in the Ulicko Seredkevych settlement.
Attacks UPA on Nabróż
On May 17, 1944, five UPA hundred units attacked the village of Nabróż, which was an important defense link in the Polish defense line against Ukrainian nationalists. The attack was repelled by partisans led by, among others, by Senior Sgt. Jan Opiełka alias "Arab". Due to the threat, the majority of the Polish population was evacuated beyond the Huczwa River.
On May 19, 1944, the attack by Ukrainian nationalists was renewed. This time the Ukrainian forces were superior. Polish troops suffered losses and had to withdraw from the defended area, many partisans and 27 civilians died. UPA losses amounted to 30 nationalists killed and the same number wounded. The pier burned down completely.

## Aftermath

As a result of the successful offensive, UPA Kholm Front was formed, led by Stepan “Spets” Novytsyi. Orthodox Metropolitan Ilarion (Professor Ivan Ohienko) formed the Kholm Council, for representation of Ukrainians of the Lublin region. Additionally, it served as UPA’s political base in the region. UPA conducted another offensive from May to June, which was unsuccessful. Polish forces launched a counteroffensive in June, which was repelled.