Soviet-Era electronic archives presented to Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Library for historical study

March 30, 2010 -- The National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy announced its receipt of a digital copy of the historical documents of the Soviet era (1918 to 1991) from the Archives of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU – СБУ). The transfer of previously secret NKVD-KGB files is regarded as a remarkable event and illustrates the need for transparency and the search for a shared historical narrative.

The presentation of the electronic copy of recently opened declassified archival documents took place at the Library of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy with the participation of Volodymyr Viatrovych - former Director of the SSU Archive, Serhiy Kvit - President of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Tetiana Yaroshenko - Director of Kyiv-Mohyla Library, researchers, faculty members of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and members of the media.

Access to secret archives of the Soviet era was closed in Ukraine until recently, when the Security Service of Ukraine declassified and opened previously closed files of the former NKVD-KGB. For years historians demanded access to the archives for insights into the nature and events which transpired under Soviet rule. In October 2008, archives on Soviet activities in Ukraine have been opened for examination and study at the archival facilities the Security Service of Ukraine.

Tens of thousands of formerly closed files became accessible at the location of the information-research rooms in Ukraine’s Oblast (province) SSU Centers. The “Regional State Archive SSU”, published in Kharkiv in 2009 (“Prava Liudyny” PH), was the first to reveal the structure and content of the archives of Soviet special secret services.

The electronic files are systematically classified thematically by subjects, such as Holodomor 1932-33, OUN-UPA, Political Repressions in Ukraine, the Dissident Movement and other categories.

One Kyiv Mohyla Academy professor said: "It is difficult to imagine a greater amount of secret hidden information than the information saved in the Archives of the Special Secret Services held on the territories of the former Soviet Republics for the period from 1918 to 1991. In the last few years the Archive of the Security Service of Ukraine has conducted serious work in declassifying and opening previously closed documents of the former NKVD-KGB. Tens of thousands of formerly closed files became accessible.”

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, archives have often been at the center of controversy. The presentation of these electronic records is a historical milestone and a significant step toward shared investigation of primary materials for understanding the history of the twentieth century. The transfer of the digitized archival materials is unparalleled. It will provide access to these important historical documents to researchers, faculty and students for the search of historical facts.

Commenting on remarks by the recently appointed Head of the SSU, Valeriy Khoroshkovskyi, about the necessity to stop the work on archival materials, Volodymyr Viatrovych stated: “The country cannot hide the secrets of totalitarian regimes and cover crimes against humanity. The study of history should have access to archives” (UNIAN).

The electronic copy of the previously closed KGB archive will be accessible at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and through the Kyiv-Mohyla website – www.ukma.kiev.ua

NKVD (Народный Комиссариат Внутренних Дел, Народний комісаріат внутрішніх справ, Narodnyy Komissariat Vnutrennikh Del abbreviated as НКВД- translated asPeople's Commissariat for Internal Affairs) active during the Stalin era. KGB (Комітет Державної Безпеки, Комитет Государственной Безопасности, Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti – translated as Committee for State Security) active from 1954 until 1991.

OUN-UPA (OUN – Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists), (UPA – Ukrainska Povstanska Armia – Ukrainian Insurgent Army)

Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Library
vul. Skovorody, 2, Kyiv
Telephone: (38) (044) 425-60-55
Email: yaroshenko@ukma.kiev.ua
Website: http://www.library.ukma.kiev.ua/