Heroes of Kruty Database Added to roots.in.ua

A new historical database, Heroes of Kruty, has been added to roots.in.ua. It is dedicated to the participants in the Battle of Kruty, traditionally dated to January 29, 1918. The battle became one of the most enduring symbols of Ukraine's struggle for independence and the defense of the Ukrainian People's Republic.

We have collected and organized 168 individual records covering soldiers, military cadets, university students, school pupils, and other individuals associated with the defense of Kruty. The database includes both those who lost their lives and those who survived the battle.

What information does the database contain?

Our goal was to reconstruct the most complete possible biography of each individual, including their full name, dates and places of birth and death, education, social background, family connections, military unit, rank or position, circumstances of death, and subsequent fate.

Particular attention has been given to lesser-known participants whose names rarely appear in popular historical accounts. Some of the defenders of Kruty later continued their military service in the Army of the Ukrainian People's Republic, emigrated abroad, became involved in public life, or experienced political persecution.

How was the database compiled?

The database was developed using historical research, archival documents, lists of fallen soldiers, eyewitness memoirs, and biographical publications.

Major sources include research by Yaroslav Tynchenko and Yurii Yuzych, publications of the Institute of History of Ukraine of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, materials from the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, and other historical resources.

Information from multiple sources was cross-referenced, duplicate records were merged, and conflicting biographical details were preserved in the notes. The participation of some individuals remains disputed or has not been conclusively established by documentary evidence.

An ongoing research project

The Heroes of Kruty database is not a final or exhaustive list. We plan to continue expanding it with additional names, biographical details, and findings from historical research.

Our goal is not only to preserve the memory of those who died but also to reconstruct the life stories of the people who defended Ukrainian statehood during a critical period in the country's history.