In the course of counter-sabotage measures in the frontline areas of southern Ukraine, the SSU exposed another accomplice of the enemy.

The offender is a deacon of one of the churches of Zaporizhzhia diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who publicly approved the unlawful referendum on the region’s ‘joining’ russia.

To do this, he activated a profile in the banned social network Vkontakte and on his own behalf ‘reposted’ calls of pro-kremlin bloggers to support the fake plebiscite.

Commenting on the russian publications, he agitated people to come to the ‘polling stations’ and ‘vote’ in favor of the aggressor state.

In his ‘posts’, the deacon denied the existence of the Ukrainian people, language and culture.

The cleric also questioned the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within internationally recognized borders.

He picked up the material for destructive content from russian propaganda blogs and communities on social networks, including the ‘russian spring’.

The SSU initiated an independent examination of the published material, which confirmed the suspect’s subversive activities.

During the searches at the deacon’s home, the SSU found computer equipment with evidence of the unlawful activity.

The cleric has been served a notice of suspicion under the Articles of the CCU:

• 436-2 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);
• 161.1 (inciting ethnic and religious hatred).

Court is to choose a measure of restraint for the suspect.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime against Ukraine’s state security.

The SSU exposed the offender under the procedural supervision of Zaporizhzhia Region Prosecutor’s Office.