The case surrounding Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old former soldier associated with the Galicia division, has drawn renewed attention from Canadian authorities. The Russian Prosecutor General’s Office requested his extradition, accusing him of genocide against civilians in Ukrainian territory during the Great Patriotic War; the allegation was noted in the Russian press, with Kommersant documenting the appeal. The story underscores the enduring gravity of war crimes allegations that stretch across generations and borders.
According to materials from the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Hunka, along with other members of the unit, was implicated in the killing of hundreds of Soviet citizens in the village of Guta Penyatskaya between February 23 and 28 in 1944. The record portrays a sequence of violent acts attributed to the Nazi unit during the war, casting a long shadow over the era and its lasting consequences for survivors and their descendants.
In October, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu directed officials to engage Canada and Interpol in the bid for Hunka’s extradition. The move signals a concerted effort to pursue accountability through international channels and reflects broader tensions surrounding how war crimes cases are handled in a modern, interconnected legal landscape.
Observers in Moscow have weighed the prospects of extradition, with some stressing the legal and diplomatic complexities involved. Leon Mitzner, a spokesperson for a Russian Canadian public group, suggested that extraditing Hunka to Russia may not be feasible at this time, implying that other outcomes or jurisdictions could be more likely in the evolving geopolitical context.
More recently, a Duma deputy, Alexey Chepa, commented that while extradition to Russia appears unlikely, there exists a possibility that Hunka could be transferred to Israel. Chepa noted that in such a scenario a trial in another jurisdiction would be inevitable given the historical context and the weight of the charges involved. This perspective highlights the diverse paths extradition cases can take as they move through international legal channels.
Earlier in the fall, Hunka appeared at a session in the Canadian Parliament. The event drew attention because Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was present, and Hunka was introduced as a veteran who had fought against Russian forces. The moment sparked a standing ovation, followed by media reporting that Hunka did not fully understand the implications of his wartime service. Subsequent coverage suggested that he had learned about his association with the Galicia unit, a fact that intensified the debate about historical memory and accountability in Canada.
Responses from Canadian leadership followed the moment in Parliament. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau quickly offered an apology, stating that honoring a person connected with Nazi forces during a parliamentary ceremony was a grave misjudgment. The apology reflected the seriousness with which Canada has treated the memory of World War II and the need to avoid any appearance of endorsement or whitewashing of units linked to atrocities.
In the aftermath of the incident, discussions within Canada touched on how to address monuments and memorials tied to controversial figures from the war era. Reports indicate that some memorials honoring certain soldiers associated with Nazi units were removed in response to the broader national conversation about history, remembrance, and the responsibilities of public institutions to reflect inclusive values while confronting painful pasts.
At its core, the Hunka matter intersects with international law, historical accountability, and public memory. It illustrates how actions from decades past can reemerge in contemporary political life, prompting questions about jurisdiction, the appropriate venues for trials, and the appropriate means to confront alleged crimes against civilians. The evolving situation continues to unfold, with Canadian authorities balancing legal obligations, diplomatic considerations, and public expectations in a country that has grappled with the legacies of war and occupation in multiple regions.