The SSU and the Prosecutor General's Office have collected evidence against the head of the russian Orthodox Church, Vladimir Gundyaev (aka Kirill), who facilitates russia's armed aggression and denies the war crimes of the occupiers.

According to the investigation, the moscow patriarch is a member of the inner circle of russia's top military and political leadership and was one of the first to publicly support a full-scale war against Ukraine.

To disseminate propaganda, he widely uses the religious communities of the russian Orthodox Church under his control, as well as representatives of the UOC-MP in Ukraine.

In addition, Gundyaev regularly shares the kremlin's narratives during online sermons or video comments.

In particular, it has been documented that in March 2022, the ROC website posted an "article" about the liturgy, blessing the commander of the russian guard Zolotov for the war against Ukraine.

Moreover, late February 2023, the official ROC YouTube channel released a video in which Gundyaev justified the occupation of eastern Ukraine.

In addition, the patriarch repeatedly gave comments to propagandists from russia's central TV channels, supporting the kremlin's aggressive policy and urging believers to unite in the war against Ukraine.

The SSU-initiated examination confirmed the facts of the criminal activity of russia’s patriarch.

Based on the evidence collected, Gundyaev was served a notice of suspicion under the following articles of the CCU:

• Part 3 Art. 110 (encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine);
• Part 3 Art. 436-2 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);
• Part 5 Art. 27 and Part 2 Art. 437 (planning, preparation, initiation, and conduct of an aggressive war).

The investigation is ongoing to bring the suspect to justice for crimes against Ukraine.

Since the start of russia’s full-scale aggression, following SSU’s investigation, 70 criminal proceedings have been initiated against representatives of the UOC-MP, 16 of whom are metropolitans of the church.