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Symon Petliura

Political and military leader of the Ukrainian People's Republic during the struggle for independence after 1917. His leadership is also examined in connection with anti-Jewish pogroms committed by forces under his authority.

Portrait of Symon Petliura

Photographer unidentified · Public domain · Image source

Biography

Symon Petliura was born in Poltava in 1879 and entered public life through journalism and socialist politics. In 1917 he became secretary for military affairs in the Central Rada. He later joined the Directory and led the Ukrainian People's Republic as Chief Otaman during the wars that followed the collapse of the Russian Empire.

His government faced Bolshevik and White armies, Polish forces, and irregular armed groups. Seeking military support, he concluded an agreement with Poland in 1920, but the republic ultimately lost its struggle for control of Ukraine. Petliura went into exile and continued publishing in Paris. He was assassinated there in 1926 by Sholom Schwartzbard, who said he was avenging anti-Jewish pogroms and was acquitted at trial.

Pogroms carried out by forces under Petliura's nominal authority are an essential part of his record. Historians debate his control over those forces and the adequacy of his response. His government's condemnations and punishments of some perpetrators must be considered alongside its failure to protect Jewish civilians.

  • ODFFU Archive: People Biographies

    Biographical text adapted and translated from the supplied manuscript.

    Consulted 2026-09-14

Biographical sources