Since 2022, based on evidence collected by the SSU, 208 criminal proceedings have been initiated involving anti-Ukrainian activities and other crimes committed by representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP). Among the suspects are 27 high-ranking church officials (metropolitans and archbishops) who are suspected of working for the russian federation.

According to the investigation, the exposed clerics were carrying out assignments for russian special services to destabilize the social and political situation in Ukraine.

To this end, the hierarchs exploited religious communities, recruiting believers into russia’s intelligence network, justifying russian war crimes, and calling for the occupation of Ukraine.

As one recent example, the prior of a UOC (MP) church in Donetsk region was notified of suspicion for adjusting russian shelling against the Defense forces and spreading anti-Ukrainian propaganda. The offender is currently in custody.

Moreover, the SSU and the National Police have found that some clerics were involved in the sexual abuse of minors, the dissemination of child pornography, and organizing schemes for military draft evasion.

Based on the SSU materials, 78 representatives of the UOC (MP) have already received notices of suspicion for committing crimes. Additionally, another 40 clerics have been sentenced to prison terms. The sentences include four hierarchs managing dioceses in various regions of Ukraine.

In addition, on the initiative of the SSU, the Ukrainian citizenship of 19 UOC (MP) clerics who hold russian passports has been terminated, and their temporary residency permits in our country have been canceled.

In particular, the SSU initiated the termination of Ukrainian citizenship for Orest Berezovskyi, who serves as the head of the UOC (MP) under the name Metropolitan Onufrii.

According to the SSU findings, Berezovskyi (Onufrii) maintains ties with the moscow patriarchate and deliberately obstructed efforts for the Ukrainian Church to gain canonical independence from it, whose representatives openly advocate for russian aggression against Ukraine. Despite the full-scale invasion, Onufrii continues to support the policy of the russian orthodox church (ROC) and its leadership, including Patriarch Kirill (Vladimir Gundyaev).

The SSU notified the head of the moscow patriarchate of suspicion as well. Investigators state he belongs to the inner circle of russia's top military and political command and was among the first to publicly approve the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

To spread propaganda, Kirill has been massively utilizing the ROC religious communities under his control on the territory of the russian federation, as well as UOC (MP) representatives in Ukraine. Furthermore, Gundyaev regularly disseminates the kremlin’s narratives during his sermons.

In addition to Kirill, 18 more representatives of the ROC's higher clergy have been served with notices of suspicion for committing crimes against Ukraine.

Acting on the SSU evidence, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine imposed sanctions against 17 UOC (MP) clerics, as well as 23 leaders of the ROC.

The SSU reiterates that its operations strictly adhere to the Constitution and current legislation of Ukraine, respecting every citizen's right to freedom of religion and belief.

The SSU stresses that if any individual works in the interests of russia and acts as an enemy agent, the possession of a cassock and a censer does not grant immunity from prosecution.