The awarding of the title was initiated by President Viktor Yushchenko in the context of national memory policy aimed at rethinking Soviet interpretations of history and honoring figures who fought against totalitarian regimes.
However, the recognition of Roman Shukhevych as the commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) met with opposition from pro-Russian political forces and was challenged in court. On 2 April 2010, the Donetsk District Administrative Court declared the decree unlawful, as Roman Shukhevych had died before the proclamation of Ukraine’s independence and therefore had not been a citizen of Ukraine, which at that time was a required condition for awarding the title of Hero of Ukraine. On 2 August 2011, the Higher Administrative Court of Ukraine finally annulled the decree.
“For an outstanding personal contribution to the national liberation struggle for the freedom and independence of Ukraine, and on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, I hereby decree: To award the title Hero of Ukraine, with the Order of the State, to ROMAN OSYPOVYCH SHUKHEVYCH, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army in 1942–1950, Heneral-Khorunzhyi (posthumously).
President of Ukraine
V. YUSHCHENKO
Kyiv, 12 October 2007 No. 965/2007”