Andriy Melnyk, Ukrainian statesman, military and political leader, Colonel of the UPR Army, head of the Ukrainian Nationalists’ Provid, second head of the OUN (1890–1964)

Among the archival documents of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine regarding the figures of the Ukrainian national liberation movement, there are interesting statements, quotations, testimonies, reminiscences about their participation in the struggle for Ukraine’s statehood. Based on these materials, we can trace and assess the role of prominent Ukrainians in the creation of the state, their contribution to Ukraine's independence and struggle for its restoration.

“...We never thought that the victory of the Ukrainian cause would be easy. We did not idly wait for someone else, an outsider, to liberate Ukraine for us. We know that the Ukrainian State will not be the result of just a coincidence of happy circumstances, but that it will be achieved first of all by Ukrainian hands...

Ukraine begins to fulfill those tasks in extremely difficult circumstances. moscow, as it had happened more than once in the past, plundered and devastated our land, leaving in it poverty, sites of fire and ruins, both material and moral. It will take years of tireless work to rebuild our land, it will take great efforts to make our nation equal in welfare and culture to leading European nations.

The Ukrainian nation is going through a deep process of internal renewal, which will result in the reconstruction of the Ukrainian State... So, let’s all do the great job! One for ten, ten for a hundred, because we have to do in one month in all aspects of national life what others did in a year, in one year – what others built in ten years. Through our efforts, Ukraine must soon become a happy and rich country” /

(BSA of the SZRU. – F. 1. – Case 11332. - V. 1. – P. 68–69)