Historian Every Saturday: Roman Ofitsynskyi. Avhustyn Voloshyn: Christian, educator, statesman (16.08.2025)
A lecture by historian Roman Ofitsynskyi (Uzhhorod National University; the “Historian Every Saturday” cycle) on Avhustyn Voloshyn and Carpatho-Ukraine. The key point: Carpatho-Ukraine in 1939 was a Ukrainian state with a Diet (Soim), a constitution, a president and a defence force (the Carpathian Sich); independence was proclaimed on 14–15 March 1939; it was crushed by Hungary with the consent of Nazi Germany. The historian draws a direct parallel with the present-day handing over of Ukrainian territory by great powers. A source for the article on Carpatho-Ukraine in 1939.
Key moments
- 46:14 The Carpathian Sich — defence of the autonomy against Hungarian/Polish saboteurs
- 46:45 The First Vienna Award of 1938 (arbiters Germany and Italy) — part of the territory was ceded to Hungary
- 56:10 14–15 March 1939: Voloshyn proclaims independence; the Diet (Soim) in Khust elects a president
- 54:54 Defence: ~20,000 against a 40,000-strong Hungarian force; Prague's order to evacuate