Based on the evidence collected by the SSU, the rector of a temple of Vinnytsia diocese of moscow patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been convicted to a prison term.

On his Telegram channel, he called russia’s armed aggression a ‘civil war’ in Ukraine and praised terrorists Zakharchenko, Givi and Motorola.

The cleric reposted publications and comments of the russian orthodox church’s press service, which justified the seizure of part of Ukraine and glorified the occupiers.

He regularly posted his own comments, trying to discredit the Ukrainian military and insulting religious feelings of believers of different faiths.

To disguise his unlawful actions, the perpetrator used an alias.

The cleric also spread pro-kremlin narratives during sermons and personal communication with his parishioners.

The SSU tracked down and detained the suspect after he tried to hide from prosecution in several regions of Ukraine.

SSU-initiated examinations confirmed the facts of his information and subversive activities against Ukraine.

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

• 109.2 (actions aimed at forceful change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power);
• 436-2.2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants).

Given his full cooperation with the investigation, the priest was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

The investigation was conducted by the SSU Vinnytsia Office under the supervision of the regional Prosecutor’s Office.