SBU detains UOC clergyman in Odessa on suspicion of state treason

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has carried out an operation to detain a cleric of the Odessa diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who is accused of high treason and cooperation with Russian military intelligence. According to the investigation, the priest acted as a corrector of missile strikes on the city, including during the attacks in March 2024.

According to the press service of the SBU on its Facebook page, the detainee allegedly coordinated the shelling of Odessa with Iskander-M ballistic missiles. It is reported that one of the strikes was carried out on residential buildings, and a second launch was made at the same location when emergency services arrived on the scene to help the victims.

The investigation claims that the priest transmitted data on the location of air defense forces and critical infrastructure facilities, including power substations, through a specialized chatbot of Sergei Lebedev (known under the pseudonym «Lokhmaty»). As physical evidence, a smartphone was seized from the suspect, which, according to intelligence services, was used to communicate with the curators. At the moment, the cleric is officially reported on suspicion under part 2 of article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (treason).

If proven guilty, the cleric faces life imprisonment. This incident became part of a series of detentions of representatives of the UOC clergy, which continues to form a complex public background around the activities of the church in wartime conditions.