The SSU has exposed unlawful actions of a rector of a church in Vinnytsia diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church: the cleric denied russia’s armed aggression and justified temporary occupation of part of Ukraine.

On his Telegram channel, the priest repeated the kremlin’s narratives on a ‘civil war’ in our country and praised the former leaders of the terrorist organization ‘DNR’, Alexander Zakharchenko, ‘Givi’ and ‘Motorola’.

He also made and disseminated comments, discrediting the Ukrainian military and insulting religious feelings of believers of other faiths.

To create the destructive content, the church rector used russian propaganda Internet resources, including the russian orthodox church’s official website.

He also spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda during his sermons and when talking to parishioners.

During the searches at the suspect’s home, the SSU found mobile phones and computers with evidence of subversive activities against Ukraine.

SSU-initiated examinations confirmed the individual’s unlawful activity.

Based on the evidence, SSU investigators served the cleric a notice of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU:

• 436-2.2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);
• 109.2 (actions aimed at a forceful change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power).

For some time, the suspect had been hiding from prosecution in several regions of Ukraine. Aa a result of an operation, the SSU found and detained him.

The court has chosen custody as a measure of restraint. The investigation is ongoing.

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