1 Execution site(s)
Oleksandra L., born in 1932: "Shortly after the outbreak of the war, a significant number of Jews from Bessarabia were transported to Luchynchyk. During their journey, they endured beatings from the guards escorting the column, who used whips. The procession of Jews was so extensive that it took the entirety of the day to traverse the village. Subsequently, the wealthiest and most robust Jews among them were accommodated by the Jews residing in the nearby town of Luchynets. Meanwhile, the remaining Jews were housed in Luchynchyk, specifically in the orphanage building, which had been vacant during the occupation. This structure became fully occupied by Jews, including a substantial number of children. Additionally, some Jews resided in an adjacent building, where they slept on the floor due to overcrowding. To sustain themselves, the Jews gathered edible plants such as weeds and nettles, among others. During the winter months, they relied on fires for warmth. Despite facing severe food shortages and experiencing a high mortality rate, the Jews refrained from resorting to theft from the local populace. I remember sharing food with a Jewish boy called Fima, who often came to see me while I was tending to my cow." (Testimony N°YIU2839U, interviewed in Luchynchyk, on November 3, 2020)
"During the occupation [of Luchynchyk], 986 people of Jewish origin from Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina died of beatings, hunger and cold." [Act drawn by State Extraordinary Soviet Commission (ChGK), on April 14, 1945, p.57; GARF 7021-54-1239/ Copy USHMM RG.22-002M]
Luchynchyk, located approximately 90 km (56 mi) southwest of Vinnytsia, had a primarily Orthodox and Catholic population engaged in agriculture and land cultivation. Before the war, there was limited information available about the Jewish community in the village. However, it is known that an important Jewish population lived in the neighboring town of Luchynets, situated about 4 km (2.5 mi) to the northeast of Luchynchyk.
Luchynchyk was occupied by German and Romanian forces at the end of July 1941. The village remained under the Romanians and became part of Transnistria in September 1941. Subsequently, Romanian administration was established and a Ukrainian police unit was set up in Luchynchyk. The Liadova River delineated the border with the German-occupied territories.
Shortly after the beginning of the war, hundreds of Jews from North Bukovina and Bessarabia, including numerous children, were deported to the nearby town of Luchynets. The wealthiest of them were housed by local Jews, while the others were installed in the former property of orphanage, located in Luchynchyk. To procure food, they resorted to gathering plants, bartering valuables and offering their skills as craftsmen or simple workers to locals.
According to the Soviet archives, due to appalling living conditions, starvation and beatings 986 Jews died in Luchynchyk during the occupation period. Their remains were interred in numerous mass or individual graves dug on the outskirts of Luchynchyk, alongside the road leading to Luchynets.
For more information about the extermination of Jews in Luchynets, please follow the corresponding profile.
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