Interview with Milana Sribniak

What is your research about? 

I focus on the repatriation of Ukrainian prisoners of war from Germany and Austria, as well as the countries of the former Austro–Hungarian Empire, between 1918 and 1920. Although it sounds very specific and narrow, the research shows the difficult geopolitical situation many Ukrainians faced after the First World War and the intricacies of the foundation of their national identity. These struggles and hardships of imprisonment that impacted millions of prisoners, specifically around 40,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war in Germany and a few thousands dispersed in areas of the former Austro–Hungarian Empire, are very important. My research is also about diplomacy, international treaties, the Allies, and the Central Powers policies of repatriation. It is also about evacuation routes and the individual destinies of people who had very prolonged imprisonments and who desperately wanted to return home by whatever means possible.  

What first sparked your interest in this topic? 

In my last year of undergraduate studies, I analyzed in great detail the Compiègne Armistice and the Treaty of Versailles as part of my classes. There were many mentions of prisoners of war and their repatriation. I already knew about the phenomenon of Ukrainian prisoners of war and their initial national awakening in German and Austrian camps, so I wanted to research this topic further. That’s when I realized that this was a very understudied area, especially the question how Ukrainian prisoners of war were able to return to their homeland. This was around six years ago, and this topic continues to be a small universe for me.  

You’ve conducted research across various institutions and countries. How did these different academic environments influence or shape your research process? 

I highly appreciate all the opportunities I have had both at the University of Toronto and across Europe in Poland, Austria, and Germany. I was lucky to meet acclaimed professors and students from different backgrounds, exchange views, and gather new ideas from various research fields. I also had the chance to examine Ukrainian prisoners of war in broader terms, for example through the concept of “otherness” in social anthropology. However, both here in Canada and in Europe, I have benefitted the most from archives. My topic cannot be fully explored without archives and the historiography is actually quite limited, so a lot of my research has come from Ukrainian, German, Austrian, Polish, and now Canadian archives. I am an “archival worm” who can spend hours reading over documents. It’s one of the best ways for me to spend my time.  

Have you faced any challenges conducting research?  

Yes, definitely. First and foremost, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has made conducting research extremely challenging. Daily missile attacks, frequent power outages, and, most critically, threats to life and health create constant obstacles. Russian forces targeting Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure inflict a heavy psychological toll, further complicating both research efforts and general well-being. In the initial months of the invasion, access to Ukrainian archives and collections was severely limited, adding yet another barrier. Additionally, during my study and research visits abroad, I encountered varying archival systems. Being well-prepared in advance, knowing where collections are held and how to request materials, was essential. Sometimes, I also needed to get specific permissions. For example, when I worked with Polish military archives, I had to wait for about one month just to receive the right to visit the archives, but it was really worth it! Although I mostly deal with documents in Ukrainian, sometimes I also have to read documents in French and German and as they are foreign languages to me. This does pose some challenges.  

What has your experience been like as an International Visiting Graduate Student at the University of Toronto?  

It is absolutely mesmerizing! From the first day, I was so impressed with the potential the university offers, as well as the dedication and friendliness of the people. In Europe, professors can be very kind and friendly, but there is always some sort of distance. I don’t feel like this is the case in Canada and this friendliness is so inspiring. I am also really impressed with the quality of the databases, research centers, and libraries. It is something really unimaginable for me because even though I have had many experiences in Europe, it is quite rare to have such access to collections. For example, I was able to find a book that I had been searching for years in my very first week here. The libraries at the University of Toronto really provide miracles for students like me. I now have this treasure of information and knowledge, which I have never had before, and this is particularly dear to me because this is my last year of PhD studies. I have to defend my dissertation next year and it is really valuable for me to have all this material to improve my project as much as possible.  

How has the Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine supported your work? 

First, I would also like to express my gratefulness to my academic supervisor, Prof. Paul Robert Magocsi whose guidance and incredible expertise has profoundly helped me in my research. Thanks to him, I was honored to meet Mr. Myron Momryk, an esteemed archivist who greatly contributed to the systematization of Ukrainian collections at Library and Archives Canada. Also, I would like to express my gratitude to Olga Kesarchuk, Ksenya Kiebuzinski, and all other staff at the Centre for European and Eurasian Studies, the Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine, and the Robarts Library. The greater academic community at CEES is amazing. I am so impressed with the quality of work produced by professors and the bright students, as well. It is not so common to be in an environment with such a yearning for knowledge and this level of productivity, but it is apparent with everyone I meet here.  

What are your future plans and what are you most excited about in the coming year? 

As a Ukrainian, I can dream about the future, but it is very difficult for me to plan it in any way possible. Just thinking about the defense of my dissertation is a very long-term goal. I just hope that Ukraine will win this war and make some of my aspirations come true. One of these aspirations is to create an encyclopedic overview of imprisonment during the First World War and especially, repatriation. I would like to do more research on prisoners of war across Eastern Europe, particularly Poland, and how the First World War shaped their national identity. I even have some ideas for a film scenario based on the topic of my dissertation. The broader relevance of Ukrainian prisoners of war and their repatriation in the context of the Russian war against Ukraine is also very interesting and relevant. Hopefully, in the future, my research will lead to further cooperation with CEES because I have really enjoyed my time and made some very fruitful discoveries. 

Milana’s public talk will take place on December 3, between 3-5 pm at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. Find more information about the talk here