Under the law , Soviet tribunals prosecuted members of the Wehrmacht , SS , SD , Order Police , and the Nazi civilian administration in the formerly occupied territories . The decree was issued on the same date as the Soviet authorities broke off relations with the Polish government-in-exile in the aftermath of the discovery of the site of the Katyn massacre . Ukase 43 can thus be viewed as part of the Soviet response to the diplomatic crisis , aimed at drawing the attention of the world public to the crimes of Germany and its allies
Katyn massacre
Katyn massacre
Ukase 43