Ukraine's Holodomor experience at the hands of Russia caused Ukrainians to see Germany's attacks on Russia from a perspective of the enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend.
“So what exactly did the old Ukrainian do in the German army? If all he did was help the Germans fight the Russians, who can blame him? He was literally fighting for his own country’s protection.”
He was not in the German Army. He was in the Waffen SS. Big difference. We don’t know if the guy was a war criminal, but unit he served in was involved in atrocities.