Over 100 Russian Orthodox сlergy in Ukraine faced suspicion during full-scale war
Illustrative image (Getty Images)
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, criminal proceedings have been initiated against more than 100 clergymen in Ukraine. Most of them are representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, criminal proceedings were initiated against more than 100 clergymen:
- 50 of them received suspicions;
- 25 received court sentences.
The Security Service of Ukraine, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine, clarifies that these are mostly representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. In particular, the list of crimes incriminated to the priests is quite wide:
- collaborations;
- high treason;
- assistance to Russia;
- propaganda of totalitarian regimes;
- justification of Russian aggression;
- assistance in illegal transportation abroad, etc.
"The existing criminal proceedings have nothing to do with pressure on the church environment but are a manifestation of the Security Service of Ukraine's systematic counteraction to the harmful influence of Russian special services and their agents on the situation in Ukraine. One of the evidences of close cooperation of some priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate with Russia is their consent to exchange after conviction and sentencing in Ukraine. And the exchanges show the value of such personnel for the Russian side," the SSU emphasizes.
Banning Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate
In October 2023, the Verkhovna Rada, in the first reading, supported a bill that would ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and other religious organizations with ties to Russia. In March 2024, the Committee recommended that the Rada support the bill at the second reading.
On July 23, Ukrainian MPs blocked the parliamentary rostrum demanding urgent consideration of the bill.
