Based on the SSU’s evidence, a rector of a temple belonging to moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, who was an agent of russia’s FSB and collected intelligence on Sumy oblast’s defence system, has been convicted to imprisonment.

The enemy was interested in the geolocation of the AFU units and the identity data of civil-military administrations officials in Shostka district.

The SSU Counterintelligence detained the cassocked informant in March this year when he attempted to pass intelligence to the FSB.

Following the SSU’s investigation, the court sentenced him to 15 years in prison.

The cleric was recruited remotely by the aggressor after the start of russia’s full-scale invasion.

The individual came to the occupiers’ attention because of his pro-kremlin views, which he repeatedly shared with others, including during conversations with parishioners.

To gather intelligence, the priest tried to use local residents, asking them for information during everyday conversations.

He also recorded locations of Ukrainian defenders when visiting the border areas.

The traitor passed the obtained data to his FSB handler via anonymous messenger apps as text messages and georeferenced media files.

During the searches at the cleric’s residence and in the UOC-MP church, the SSU found mobile phones used by him to communicate with the aggressor, as well as pro-kremlin literature.

Based on the evidence, the court found the accused guilty under Article 111.2 of the CCU (high treason committed under martial law).

The SSU emphasises the inevitability of punishment for crimes against Ukraine.

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in Sumy region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.