Ads praising Nazi WWII division pop up in Ukrainian town
Posters emblazoned with the name of a Nazi SS division have been turning heads in the city of Lvov in western Ukraine. The signs carry the phrase, "Ukrainian division Galichina: They defended Ukraine."
In Nazi Germany, it was forbidden to call the division Ukrainian. Instead, it was called the 114th voluntary trooper division SS "Galichina," which pledged an oath to Hitler.
Formed in April 1943, the Galichina division fought against the Soviet Army, as well as anti-fascist movements in Slovenia and other countries.Lvov city officials, however, say they do not know who put the signs up, but according to its press service, the posters could be considered 'social advertising'.
Some media experts believe they were paid for by municipal authorities, ITAR TASS reports.
Meanwhile, some in Ukraine’s parliament are doing their best to prove that divisions like the Galiachina defended the country from the Nazis and from Soviet troops.
But bills on recognizing those who served in the Gatchina and similar divisions have yet to be passed.
