The SSU has completed counterintelligence (security) measures in the territory of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, the Korets Holy Trinity Monastery and the Sarny-Polissya Diocese of the moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Rivne region.

In cooperation with the National Police and the National Guard, over 350 church buildings and 850 persons have been thoroughly checked.

Over 50 people underwent in-depth counterintelligence interviews, including with the use of a polygraph. Among them were not only Ukrainian citizens, but also foreigners, in particular russian citizens, who were on the territory of the church facilities.

Some of them presented passports and military IDs of the USSR, or did not have original documents at all, but only copies of them, or had Ukrainian passports with indications of forgery or damage. In-depth checks are underway.

In addition to that, a 32-year-old citizen of Ukraine was staying in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. He may be involved in the unlawful activities of the pro-russian news agency Antvan in our country. The man is also a trustee of the owner of the russian company ANTVAN GROUP - russian citizen Orlov O.V., who owned several land plots and catering establishments in Ukraine. Court seized this property in the framework of criminal proceedings.

In the course of security measures, the law enforcement also uncovered:

• pro-russian literature, which is used in seminary and parish schools, including for propaganda of the ‘russian world’;
• cash totaling over UAH 2 mln, over USD 100,000 and several thousand russian rubles.

All items have been sent for expert examinations.

These security measures were carried out in accordance with the law. We emphasize that in its activities the SSU adheres to the principle of impartiality to any religious denomination and respects the right of every citizen to freedom of worldview and religion, as defined by the Constitution of Ukraine.