The SSU has collected irrefutable evidence of guilt of the head of Cherkasy diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who denied russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine and justified the invaders’ actions.

According to the investigation, in 2020 the cleric ordered to create a website for the diocese based on the template of the russian Orthodox Church.

Russian software was used during its development, which allowed to retransmit destructive content from pro-kremlin Internet resources.

Such resources include patriarchia.ru and pravoslavie.ru, where ROC propagandists justify russia’s armed aggression and ruscists’ war crimes.

On the ‘new’ website, the metropolitan also praised moscow priests who help the aggressor and called for ‘uniting’ religious communities in the war against Ukraine.

Based on the evidence collected, SSU investigators notified the metropolitan of suspicion under Articles 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).

Court is to decide on a measure of restraint. The investigation is underway.

The SSU Office in Cherkasy region carried out the operational and investigative activities under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.