A civil-military movement is calling for tighter control over the property of the Pochaiv Lavra

The Civil-Military Movement (CMM) issued an official statement calling on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure strict compliance with the law regarding the Pochaiv Lavra. Representatives of the movement insist on establishing strict oversight over the preservation of the shrine’s property complex during the 60-day period allotted by the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS).

’s statement emphasizes that granting time to rectify violations and sever ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is solely a procedural requirement of the law. The organization warns against using this period for manipulation or to drag out the process. After two months, if the requirements are not met, the Department of Cultural Heritage will seek a court order to forcibly terminate the legal entity’s activities and return its property to the management of the Kremenets-Pochayiv State Historical and Architectural Reserve.

Civil society activists are urging the Ministry of Culture and the State Architectural and Historical Preservation Service to prepare all necessary legal frameworks in advance to ensure a prompt response. In addition, a request has been sent to the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police to strengthen preventive controls—a measure aimed at preventing the possible removal of icons, liturgical objects, and museum artifacts. The CMM has also appealed to the leadership and monastic community of the Lavra to cease manipulations, stating its intention to exercise strict civic oversight to ensure compliance with all legal procedures.

As a reminder, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) had extended by 60 days the deadline for the Pochaiv Holy Dormition Lavra to comply with the order to sever its affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church.