Volodymyr Bahaziy

Who was Volodymyr Bahaziy?

Volodymyr Panteleimonovych Bahasiy, Ukrainian: Вoлoдимир Пантелеймонович Багазiй was a Ukrainian nationalist affiliated with the Andriy Melnyk's faction of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists and head of Kiev City Administration under German occupation in October 1941 - January 1942.

He was a professional pedagogue, taught in a Jewish school, and later was a postgraduate student at Kiev Pedagogical Institute. In September 1941, when the Germans occupied Kiev, Oleksandr Ohloblyn who knew him for years invited him at the meeting where representatives of OUN formed the new Kiev city administration. Although Bahaziy was supported by a large group, the OUN representatives mistrusted him and agreed to appoint him a deputy to Ohloblyn who became the city mayor. Very soon, however, Bahaziy gained favor of both OUN people and the German military leaders. Claims that he was personally present during the execution of Jews in Babyn Yar were later proven to be untrue. In October 1941 Ohloblyn retired and Bahaziy was appointed the new Kiev mayor.