Based on the evidence collected by the SSU, the court convicted a novice of Holy Dormition Pochayiv Lavra (moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church), who justified russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.

Before russia’s full-scale invasion, he worked in the household of the religious institution and hid his pro-kremlin views.

However, after 24 February 2022, the postulant began to actively spread russian propaganda narratives through his profiles on the banned social networks Odnoklassniki and Vkontakte.

There, he praised russia’s top military and political leadership and discredited Ukrainian defenders.

During the search of the novice’s cell, the SSU found mobile phones used for posting destructive content.

The SSU-initiated examination confirmed the facts of the suspect’s subversive activities for the benefit of the aggressor state.

Based on the collected evidence, the court found the accused guilty under two Articles of the CCU:

• 436-2.3 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);
• 111-1.1 (collaboration).

The offender was sentenced to 5 years in prison with confiscation of property and disqualification to hold positions in law enforcement agencies of Ukraine, state authorities, local government and public service providers for 15 years.

The SSU Office in Ternopil region conducted the investigation under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.