In Volyn, a Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) congregation defended its church against an attempt by supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) to seize it

In the village of Vetly in the Volyn region, an attempt by supporters of the OCU to take over the St. Nicholas Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was unsuccessful. The church’s rector categorically refused to hand over the keys to the building, despite the arrival of representatives from the executive service.

The incident occurred on August 25, 2026, when OCU supporters led by “rector” Roman Gula attempted to take control of the church. After Priest Stanislav Skupeiko refused to hand over the keys, the enforcement service officers were forced to draw up a report stating that the decision could not be enforced. At present, ownership and access to the church remain with the UOC community.

The conflict over the church has been ongoing since 2022. According to representatives of the UOC, it began after OCU supporters held a meeting at which a decision was made to transfer the congregation to their jurisdiction. The UOC emphasizes that these actions were based on forged minutes, as the actual parishioners of St. Nicholas Church did not participate in those meetings.

Although the Lyubeshiv District Court and the Volyn Court of Appeals had previously ruled in favor of the OCU, and the Supreme Court refused on June 22, 2026, to hear the rector’s cassation appeal, the actual transfer of the church has not yet taken place. Supporters of the OCU intend to continue their attempts to seize the church, while believers of the UOC continue to defend their rights in court—a pattern also observed in similar disputes, such as the one in Kamno-Kashirsk.