The Cherkasy Prosecutor's Office has charged a metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church in absentia

The Cherkasy Regional Prosecutor’s Office announced that Aristarkh (Smirnov), head of the Kuzbass Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church, has been charged in absentia. The hierarch is accused of organizing fundraising and providing logistical support to Russian military units participating in hostilities on Ukrainian territory.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office press service, the investigation established that since February 2022, the metropolitan has used his religious authority to amass resources. The case file indicates that Aristarkh, both personally and through a network of intermediaries, was involved in transferring vehicles, equipment, and humanitarian cargo for the needs of the Russian Federation’s army. He is also charged with establishing special funds and organizing large-scale shipments intended for military purposes.

Since the suspect is currently in Russia, the notice of suspicion was served in absentia. SBU officers in the Cherkasy region are providing operational support for the investigation. According to Part 3 of Article 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the alleged offense is punishable by imprisonment for a term of six to eight years, which also entails the confiscation of property.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the Security Service of Ukraine had gathered evidence and served a notice of suspicion in absentia on Metropolitan Mark, head of the Vyatka and Slobodskaya Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church. According to the investigation, he is involved in financing and providing material support to Russian occupation forces participating in the war against Ukraine.