Conference of the Austrian-Ukrainian Historical Commission
On 31 October, the University of Vienna hosted the conference “Occupied Ukraine: Russian Policy in the Territories under Russian Control,” organized by the Austrian-Ukrainian Historical Commission. The event brought together leading scholars and experts to examine the multi-layered nature of Russia’s occupation practices.
In her keynote address, Oleksandra Matviichuk highlighted systematic human rights violations in the occupied territories and stressed the need for sustained international efforts to ensure accountability.
Two panel discussions offered deeper perspectives:
-
Panel I focused on the military, social, and linguistic dimensions of occupation, addressing both instruments of control and the lived experiences of civilians.
-
Panel II examined Russia’s religious policy, war crimes as a long-term strategic tool, and the international mechanisms available to pursue justice.
The conference demonstrated the crucial importance of such academic forums for the historical community: they help consolidate research findings, strengthen documentation of atrocities, foster interdisciplinary dialogue, and deepen Austrian–Ukrainian academic cooperation.