[citation needed] Because of his anti-Polish activities and the recent assassination of Bronisław Pieracki by Ukrainian nationalists, Stetsko was arrested by Polish authorities in 1934 and sentenced to a 5-year term.

], OUN leaders had meetings with the heads of Nazi Germany's intelligence, regarding the formation of "Nachtigall" and "Roland" Battalions.

[4][5] On 30 June 1941, Stetsko declared in Lviv the formation of a Ukrainian National Government which "will closely cooperate with the National-Socialist Greater Germany, under the leadership of its leader Adolf Hitler which is forming a new order in Europe and the world" – as stated in the text of the "Act of Proclamation of Ukrainian Statehood"[5] Gestapo and Abwehr officials protected Bandera followers, as both organizations intended to use them for their own purposes.

[6] On 3 July 1941 Stetsko wrote a letter to Adolf Hitler in which he expressed his gratitude and admiration for the German army, and wished the war with the USSR to end with a quick victory.

[8] In "Discussion with members of the Ukrainian National Committee and Stepan Bandera" dated July 3 1941, Kundt stresses to those questioned "Only Adolf Hitler can determine what will happen there", referring to Ukraine.

[8] Professor Hans Koch, a Captain in the Abwehr who had been present at the "National Assembly in Lviv" was questioned numerous times about his prior knowledge of the proclamation.

Baum to Grosskopf" dated 21 July 1941, it is clarified that Koch "strongly reproached Mr. Stetsko for his disloyalty and left the assembly room with the other representatives of the Wehrmacht".

[8] The memorandum was received negatively in Berlin, in a Report to the Reichsminister for Foreign Affairs, dated July 1 1941, the Grosskopf writes: "With regard to the future, it warns Germany, sometimes with a threatening tone, that the reorganisation of Eastern Europe can only be maintained by the creation of an independent Ukrainian state and not by a lasting, determined military occupation.

[9] In April 1944 Stepan Bandera and his deputy Yaroslav Stetsko were approached by Otto Skorzeny to discuss plans for diversions and sabotage against the Soviet Army.

[10] In September 1944 Stetsko and Stepan Bandera were released by the German authorities in the hope that he would rouse the native populace to fight the advancing Soviet Army.

Assigned German personnel and agents trained to conduct terrorist and intelligence activities behind Soviet lines, as well as some OUN-B leaders, were also transported by air until early 1945.