One of the prominent guides of the national liberation struggle of the Ukrainian people in the twentieth century is Simon Petlyura. In Soviet times, the name of this great man was hushed up and forbidden, and information about his activities was in the archives under the heading "Secret." Communist ideology distorted the history of the country, calling the hero a pogromist, a bandit, a traitor. In troubled times, the very idea of independence of Ukraine, its language and the right to own choice was pursued.
The future chief ataman was born in 1879 in the glorious city of Poltava. A large family had difficulty making ends meet. But, nevertheless, Simon Petlyura received his elementary education, and later studied at a theological seminary (bursa). At first, the young man supported the socialist movement, which was popular in the Russian Empire and Europe. But in 1900 he joined the Revolutionary Ukrainian Party, which was the first in the twentieth century to declare an independent state of Ukraine. Soon Petliura Simon became one of its most active members.
Even then, they began to pursue him, so he wandered around the expanses of the empire. For some time he worked in the Kuban, exploring the archives of the Zaporozhye Cossacks. A little later, the young revolutionary moves to Lviv, where he attends Grushevsky’s lectures, works in several newspapers. For a while, Simon Petlyura lived in Moscow, where he met his wife Olga Velskaya. Wherever he is, everywhere he takes an active part in national organizations, the cultural life of the city, writes for the media. Even then, F. Korsch recognized him as a leader, a hero who is able to lead the people to a great victory.
Simon Petliura, whose biography is full of outstanding actions, took part in the First World War, in the February Revolution of 1917 . It was he who headed the Ukrainian General Military Committee, where he promoted the national idea. And after the adoption of I universal, the Central Council became secretary of military affairs. The October Revolution dramatically made adjustments to the plans of the young state. Under the humane slogans of the Bolsheviks, imperial politics continued. This led to an armed conflict with Russia. In difficult conditions, Petliura forms an army and prepares it for a skirmish with the enemy. Defending, not attacking, he wanted to free his homeland.
After the conflict with V. Vinnichenko, Simon leaves the government. He organizes the Haidamak kosh of Sloboda Ukraine, which is actively fighting the communists. He boldly opposes the troops of N. Muravyov, but is forced to surrender Kiev under the onslaught of a large enemy and look for allies in the face of the Germans. Later, a tough struggle continued, complemented by disagreements in Ukraine itself between its leaders. Petlyura was even imprisoned by his comrades-in-arms, however, not for long.
A member of the UNR Directory did not leave his homeland, but remained faithful to her until the end of his days.
For a long time, Simon Petlyura commanded partisan detachments that fought with the invaders, looked for external allies, followed his idea. But when Poland compromised with the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian army was doomed. Death from a bullet of a Bolshevik agent in 1926 cut short the plans of a national hero. But did not kill his idea.
Today the name of the fighter for justice and independence, undeservedly tarnished, is cleared of dirt. Grateful descendants learn to live in their homeland, to love it as the legendary Simon Petlyura loved.