KHOMA MARTYUK (PSEUDONYM ALKID) – HEAD OF THE DUNAYEVETS SUPRA-DISTRICT LEADERSHIP OF THE OUN IN THE PODILLIA REGION

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the activities of Khoma Martyuk, known by the pseudonyms Okhrim and Alkid, as the head of the Dunayevets supra-district leadership of the Organization of Ukrainian National- ists (OUN). The study outlines the conditions and motivations behind Martyuk’s involvement in the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) and traces his early steps within the nationalist underground. Special attention is givento the historical context in which the Dunayevets supra-district leadership of the OUN operated, as well as themethods of resistance employed against the Soviet regime. The article highlights Alkid’s personal role in this struggle, details the circumstances of his capture, and explores his fate following arrest and imprisonment.The significance of Khoma Martyuk’s figure in the historical memory of the national liberation movement in the Podillia region is emphasized. Research methodology: The study is based on the principles of histor- icism, scientific rigor, objectivity, and systematic analysis. General scientific methods (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and specific historical approaches (historical-genetic and historical-systemic) were applied.Scientific novelty: For the first time, this study utilizes materials from the archival criminal case of Khoma Martyuk, which shed light on both his military career and lesser-known aspects of the activities of the OUN’sPodillia regional leadership. Conclusions: Khoma Petrovych Martyuk was a prominent representative of the Ukrainian national liberation movement, dedicating his life to the struggle for Ukraine’s independence. Anal- ysis of the circumstances surrounding his involvement shows that his choice was consistent with the values ofhis patriotic family. His brothers served in the "Galicia" division and later in the UPA. From 1943 to 1947, Khoma operated within the Chortkiv district leadership of the Podillia region of the OUN under the pseudonym Okhrim. In 1948, following the reorganization of the regional structure, he was transferred to the Dunaye- vets supra-district leadership and headed it under the pseudonym Alkid. His activities included developing anetwork of safe houses, gathering intelligence, distributing nationalist literature, and leading the OUN youth organization. On September 30, 1951, he was ambushed by the MGB. He endured a year of interrogations andtorture. Khoma Martyuk holds a respected place in the historical memory of the Ukrainian national liberation struggle.