The SSU is systemically combating russian intelligence services and criminals in Ukraine’s religious environment. Since russia launched its full-scale aggression, the SSU has initiated 68 criminal proceedings against representatives of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC-MP), including 14 metropolitans.

The crimes uncovered include 20 facts of high treason, collaboration and aiding the aggressor state.

In addition, the law enforcement agencies are investigating 18 proceedings for public incitement to religious hatred, selling firearms and distribution of child pornography.

As a result of operational and investigative actions, 26 UOC-MP representatives have been declared suspects, and another 19 offenders have already received court sentences.

Following court’s conviction, two clerics-collaborators were exchanged for Ukrainian soldiers held captive by the enemy.

One of them is the rector of the Holy Tikhvin Church of the UOC-MP Severodonetsk diocese. In April 2022, he provided the occupiers with information on members of the resistance movement in the community. Due to the ‘tip-off’ from a cassocked collaborator, the invaders abducted the victims and imprisoned them in russian torture chambers.

Based on the evidence collected by the SSU, the court sentenced him to 12 years in prison. The convict along with russian PoWs has been exchanged for 63 Ukrainian defenders.

The SSU also detained a cleric of the UOC-MP Horlivka diocese, who, after Lyman was captured, organized a meeting of community members to ‘elect’ leadership of the local occupation administration.

Following the SSU’s investigation, the court sentenced him to 7 years in prison. Subsequently, the convicted priest was swapped for Ukrainian servicemen captured by ruscists.

Among the convicted clergymen is also the head of the UOC-MP Tulchyn diocese in Vinnytsia region, sentenced to 5 years in prison. He propagated russia’s armed aggression among parishioners and justified the temporary occupation of part of Ukraine’s territory.

In addition to that, at the SSU’s initiative, 19 UOC-MP representatives holding russian passports and spreading pro-kremlin narratives on the war in Ukraine have been deprived of Ukrainian citizenship. Among them are metropolitans from Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, as well as from the temporarily occupied Crimea.

The SSU also banned over 177 clerics of the russian Orthodox Church from entering Ukraine, including the former UOC-MP metropolitan of Romny and Buryn in Sumy region.

The SSU is acting to identify all persons involved in subversive and sabotage activities in Ukraine’s religious environment.

The SSU reiterates that it acts exclusively within the framework of the Constitution of Ukraine and the legislation in force, respecting the rights of every citizen to freedom of religion and worldview.

However, no enemy accomplice or criminal will hide behind a cassock from justice for crimes against Ukraine.