Symon Petliura

Petliura became the leader of the Directory of the Ukrainian People's Republic, the government fighting for Ukrainian independence. He led the army and government during the Ukrainian War of Independence.

Despite the Polish alliance, Petliura's forces were defeated by the Red Army. The Ukrainian People's Republic was crushed, and Petliura was forced into exile, ending the military struggle for Ukrainian independence.

Petliura signed the Treaty of Warsaw with Poland, recognizing Polish claims to Western Ukraine in exchange for military support against Bolshevik Russia. This alliance was controversial among Ukrainians who saw it as a betrayal.

Petliura was assassinated in Paris by Sholom Schwartzbard, a Jewish anarchist who blamed Petliura for pogroms during the Ukrainian War of Independence. The assassination and subsequent trial drew international attention.