Nazi collaborators Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych were awarded honorary citizen status in the western Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankovsk on Thursday, UNIAN reported.

The city council specially introduced the status of honorary citizen shortly before taking the decision.

The Soviet authorities accused Bandera, who fought both the Nazis and the Soviets in his quest for an independent Ukraine, of numerous acts of murder and terrorism. He was assassinated by the KGB in Munich, Germany, on October 15, 1959.

Shukhevych, leader of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, also collaborated with the Nazis.

Former Ukrainian president Viktor Yushchenko, known for his promotion of Ukrainian nationalism, often at the expense of relations with Russia, bestowed the honorary title of Hero of Ukraine on Bandera in late January. The decision was later overturned.

KIEV, May 6 (RIA Novosti)