The SSU has collected evidence against a former metropolitan of Romny diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church Oleksiy Maslennikov, who publicly justified russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.

When the full-scale invasion was launched, the bishop fled to the aggressor state and was one of the first to support the kremlin’s war against Ukraine.

In September 2022, the priest took part in a service in a monastery in Sverdlovsk region, russia.

During the event, Maslennikov, together with russian clergy, blessed the enemy’s military fighting against Ukraine. The cleric also praised putin’s decision to conduct mobilization to replenish russian occupation groupings.

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

Since the offender is hiding from justice in russia, comprehensive efforts are underway to bring him to justice. The cleric is facing imprisonment.

The SSU Sumy Office carried out the investigation under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.