The SSU has gathered irrefutable evidence proving the guilt of another priest who voluntarily cooperated with russian occupiers.

The offender is a rector of one of the parishes of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Lyman community, Donetsk region.

During the temporary occupation of the district, the cleric publicly justified russia’s armed aggression and called on locals to support the invaders.

The clergyman also agitated parishioners to take part in a sham referendum and ‘vote’ in favour of region’s ‘accession’ to russia and ‘elect’ a new ‘head’ of Yarova village, supporter of occupation administration.

The offender coordinated his subversive activities with representatives of russian military commanders.

The SSU detained the collaborator during stabilization efforts after the area was liberated.

‘The SSU is doing everything to ensure that no traitor of Ukraine or collaborator evades responsibility. We pay special attention to those who work for the enemy under the cover of a priest’s robe. I emphasize that a cassock and a censer is not an aggravating circumstance, but this also does not in any way exempt traitors from legal punishment. Therefore, the court’s verdict is another clear signal to all collaborators,’ the SSU Head, Major General Vasyl Maliuk underscored.

Based on the evidence collected by the SSU, the court found the accused guilty under the Article 111-1.5 of the CCU (collaboration) and sentenced him to 7 years in prison with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for 12 years and confiscation of property.

In total, in 2022 the SSU opened 52 criminal cases on 55 clergymen of the UOC-MP, including 14 bishops. Almost 200 clerics of the Russian Orthodox Church were banned from entering Ukraine. Sanctions have also been imposed on a number of UOC-MP and ROC officials.

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

The investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the procedural supervision of Donetsk Region Prosecutor’s Office.