World War II Documents from the State Archive of Kiev Oblast

The three series that comprise the collection of Second World War documents from the State Archive of Kyiv oblast present various aspects of the German occupation of Ukraine. In spring 1942, Germany began to draft occupied populations as forced laborers (Ostarbeiters). The first series “Postcards of Ukrainian Forced Labor Workers from Nazi Germany” contains testimonies of Ukrainians, most of whom had been forcibly removed from their homeland and placed into labor camps throughout Germany. The correspondence describes the conditions in Germany, the kind of work, way of life, spare time, treatment of Ostarbeiters by the Germans, and relations with representatives of other nations.

The second series “Museum-Archive of the Transition Period” contains official information on 16 main fields of research that had been developed by the Museum’s scientists to help spread anti-Soviet propaganda among the Ukrainian population. This material includes documents that chronicle the requisition of valuables from Kyiv temples and museums and their subsequent sale abroad; the damage to and demolition of religious buildings and other cultural and historical memorials; the total Russification of all aspects of life in Ukrainian society; the oppression and persecution of Ukrainian intellectuals; the evacuation of writers, artists, and scientists from Ukraine to the east at the beginning of the war; and the exportation of museum exhibits to the rear areas. This series also includes personal papers, memoirs, notes, diaries and photographs.

The third series “Documents of Ukrainian Forced Labor Workers Detained in Soviet Filtration Camps in Germany” contains filtration files (a dossier by individual) created by the Soviet government at the end of the War, from August to December 1945, for each returning Ostarbeiter.