# Stepan Bandera > Ukrainian nationalist leader (1909–1959) **Wikidata**: [Q157280](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q157280) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stepan_Bandera) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stepan-bandera ## Summary Stepan Bandera was a Ukrainian nationalist leader, politician, and partisan who lived from 1909 to 1959. He is best known as a prominent member of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and the leader of the Banderite faction of that organization. His legacy is marked by his receipt of the Hero of Ukraine award and the commemoration of his name in landmarks such as Bandery Street in Lviv and Stepana Bandery Avenue in Kyiv. ## Biography - **Born:** January 1, 1909 - **Nationality:** West Ukrainian People's Republic, Second Polish Republic, Austria–Hungary, Stateless - **Education:** Lviv Polytechnic - **Known for:** Leadership within the Ukrainian nationalist movement and the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) - **Employer(s):** Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists - **Field(s):** Politics, Partisan/Guerrilla movement ## Contributions Stepan Bandera's primary contributions were centered on his leadership and organizational activities within the Ukrainian nationalist movement. He was a key figure in the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), an ultranationalist political organization established in 1929. Specifically, he led the Banderite faction of the OUN (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (Banderite)), which was formed as a distinct far-right Ukrainian ultranationalist political organization on February 10, 1940. His influence extended to the formation of groups known as "Banderivtsi," which are described as far-right groups of Ukrainian nationalists. Posthumously, his contributions to the Ukrainian state were recognized with the conferral of the "Hero of Ukraine" title and the Order of the State award. ## FAQs - **What organizations was Stepan Bandera associated with?** Stepan Bandera was a member of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) and led the Banderite faction, a far-right ultranationalist group that split from the main organization in 1940. - **Where did Stepan Bandera receive his education?** He was educated at Lviv Polytechnic, a technical university in Lviv, Ukraine, which was founded in 1844 and currently serves approximately 30,000 students. - **What awards has Stepan Bandera received?** He was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the State. - **What citizenships did Stepan Bandera hold during his life?** Throughout his life, he held citizenship or was associated with the West Ukrainian People's Republic, the Second Polish Republic, and Austria–Hungary, and also experienced a period of statelessness. - **How is Stepan Bandera commemorated in geography?** He is commemorated by Bandery Street in Lviv, Ukraine, and Stepana Bandery Avenue in Kyiv, Ukraine. ## Why They Matter Stepan Bandera matters as a defining figure in the history of Ukrainian nationalism, influencing the political landscape of Eastern Europe during the mid-20th century. His leadership within the OUN and the subsequent Banderite movement played a role in the Ukrainian struggle for independence against the backdrop of the collapsing Austro-Hungarian Empire and the rise of the Second Polish Republic. The enduring controversy and recognition surrounding his figure, highlighted by the "Hero of Ukraine" award and the presence of "Banderivtsi" groups, underscore his significant, albeit polarizing, impact on Ukrainian national identity. His life intersects with major geopolitical shifts, including the existence of the West Ukrainian People's Republic and the Soviet era, making him a critical subject for understanding the region's complex history. ## Notable For - Being a Ukrainian nationalist leader and politician. - Serving as a member and leader within the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). - Founding and leading the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (Banderite) in 1940. - Being associated with "Banderivtsi," far-right Ukrainian nationalist groups. - Receiving the Hero of Ukraine award and the Order of the State. - Having streets named after him in major Ukrainian cities, including Bandery Street in Lviv and Stepana Bandery Avenue in Kyiv. - Holding citizenships across multiple changing geopolitical entities: Austria–Hungary, the West Ukrainian People's Republic, and the Second Polish Republic. ## Body ### Identity and Early Life Stepan Bandera, also known by his full name Stepan Andriyovych Bandera, was a human classified by his occupations as a politician and a partisan. He was born on January 1, 1909, and died on October 15, 1959. His life spanned a period of immense political upheaval in Eastern Europe, during which the geopolitical borders and governing states of his homeland underwent significant changes. ### Education Bandera was educated at Lviv Polytechnic, a major technical university located in Lviv, Ukraine. This institution, founded in 1844, has a long history that predates Bandera's attendance, having operated through the eras of the Austrian Empire, Austria–Hungary, and the Second Polish Republic. During the time of Bandera's affiliation, the university was known as the Lviv Polytechnic Institute (1939–1993). Today, the university is led by Rector Yuriy Bobalo and boasts a student body of approximately 30,000. It is a member of the European University Association and the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie, holding a legal status as a National University. ### Political Context and Citizenship Bandera's life was deeply intertwined with the shifting political entities of Eastern Europe. His citizenship history reflects the turbulent times: * **Austria–Hungary:** He was a citizen of this multinational empire in Central Europe, which existed from 1867 until its dissolution in 1918 following World War I. * **West Ukrainian People's Republic (ZUNR):** He was associated with this self-proclaimed country that existed briefly from October 19, 1918, to January 22, 1919. The ZUNR emerged from the dissolution of Austria–Hungary and sought to unite with the Ukrainian People's Republic. * **Second Polish Republic:** He held citizenship in this sovereign state, which existed from 1918 to 1939. This republic was a democratic republic with a parliamentary system that played a significant role in the region until it was dissolved after the outbreak of World War II. * **Statelessness:** At various points, Bandera held the status of being stateless, a person who is not a citizen or national of any country. ### Organizational Leadership and Affiliations Stepan Bandera was a prominent member of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), an ultranationalist political organization established in 1929. His influence was such that a specific faction of the movement became known by his name. On February 10, 1940, the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (Banderite) was established as a distinct far-right Ukrainian ultranationalist political organization. This faction, and its adherents known as "Banderivtsi," represented a specific ideological strand within the broader Ukrainian nationalist movement. ### Recognition and Commemoration Bandera's legacy is physically marked in the geography of modern Ukraine. "Bandery Street" is a thoroughfare located in Lviv, the same city that houses the Lviv Polytechnic where he studied. Additionally, "Stepana Bandery Avenue" is a significant street in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. These landmarks serve as public testaments to his enduring, though contested, place in Ukrainian history. His contributions to the nation were formally recognized with the awarding of the "Hero of Ukraine" title and the Order of the State. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. The Fine Art Archive 3. International Standard Name Identifier 4. Virtual International Authority File 5. CiNii Research 6. SNAC 7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie 8. BnF authorities 9. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana 10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 11. YouTube 12. Quora 13. Golden 14. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands 15. [Source](http://data.advn.be/id)