The SSU has collected evidence of anti-Ukrainian activities of a cleric of Ovrutsk-Korosten diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Zhytomyr oblast.

After the start of the full-scale war, the priest imposed pro-russian views on his parishioners in his sermons and posted messages on social media justifying russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The cleric presented russia’s invasion of our country as a ‘civil conflict’ and justified the ruscist war crimes.

He also publicly insulted the religious views of believers of other faiths and called to support the russian orthodox church.

According to the investigation, the perpetrator recorded his anti-Ukrainian speeches on camera and then posted them on his Facebook page.

SSU-initiated examinations confirmed the facts of his information and subversive activities against Ukraine.

Based on the evidence, the SSU served him a notice of suspicion under Article 436-2.1, 436-2.2, 436-2.3 of the CCU (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

The investigation is ongoing. The suspect faces up to 8 years in prison.

The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Zhytomyr region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.