Original Items: Very Few Available. These are very attractive Ukrainian YBB Volunteer Sleeve Shields. The Ukrainian Army of Liberation (UVV, represented by the Cyrillic characters YBB) was formed in 1943, from Ukrainian volunteers including ex-prisoners of war. Men of the UVV/YBB were scattered among many units of the German Army, and its members wore this volunteer sleeve shield as identifying insignia. Ukrainian volunteers in the “14.

Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS” were among those who wore this shield. The shield bears the Ukrainian national colors, as well as the trident emblem of Ukrainian hero Vladimyr the Great. This Ukrainian YBB Volunteer Sleeve Shield is the second printed pattern. They are in near lovely condition, never cut, some were folded, but most appear unissued.

The white, thin backing fabric has a diagonal weave, the printing is visible on the reverse which is typical. There is no fraying that affects the design, or other damage. These have become very popular over the last couple years and seem to become increasingly hard to find.

Given the recent conflict in Ukraine, these have become a “popular demand” item and will not last long. Each purchase includes (1) 5 ¼” x 3” Sheet which features a Pair of Shields.

Comes ready to display!

Ukrainian Liberation Army
The Ukrainian Liberation Army (Ukrainian: Українське Визвольне Військо, УВВ; Ukrainske Vyzvolne Viysko, UVV) was an umbrella organization created in 1943, providing collective name for all Ukrainian units serving with the German Army during World War II. A single formation by that name did not exist. The designation was used by Ukrainian nationalists in reference to a number of companies and local Ostbataillonen of Hiwi volunteers desiring to free their own territories from the Soviet rule. They included enlisted Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) of the Red Army. The core of the Liberation Army wearing the УВВ sleeve badge (right, since 1945) originated from the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Ukrainian) reorganized in April 1945 into the Ukrainian National Army (UNA) active until the German surrender in May 1945.

14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Galician)
The 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Galician) prior to 1944 titled the 14th SS-Volunteer Division "Galicia", was a World War II German military formation made up predominantly of military volunteers with a Ukrainian ethnic background from the area of Galicia, later also with some Slovaks. Formed in 1943, it was largely destroyed in the battle of Brody, reformed, and saw action in Slovakia, Yugoslavia, and Austria before being renamed the first division of the Ukrainian National Army and surrendering to the Western Allies by 10 May 1945.