Mass graves of the Holocaust era in Ukraine as archaeological sites: strategies for searching, documenting and protection

Mass graves of the Holocaust era have dotted the territory of present-day Ukraine in various forms and states of commemoration/preservation. These sites are well-recognised symbols of the suffering and persecution of victims of Nazi regimes (predominantly Jewish people but not only limited to this category). The nature of these sites and broad worldwide practice allow to consider them as a part of the archaeological heritage and apply specific mechanisms of its protection and search. This chapter will analyse perspectives and considerations for the wider application of the forensic archaeological approach to Holocaust studies, based on the perception of archaeological sites in Ukraine and existing legislation in the country. The current legal system in Ukraine was analyzed from different perspectives. In addition, this chapter highlights the urgent challenges that arisen in relation to the protection of burial sites and the restricted access to sites due to the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War.