In Kremenchuk, prosecutor's office ensures access to UOC church for OCU supporters through court

The Kriukiv District Court of Kremenchuk considered the petition of the prosecutor of the Kremenchuk District Prosecutor’s Office and demanded the removal of 13 concrete foundation blocks that blocked the entrances to the Holy Dormition Cathedral of the Kremenchuk Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. According to law enforcement agencies, the concrete blocks were installed by UOC believers who “did not accept the transfer of the church to the OCU.” This was reported by the Kremenchuk newspaper.

It is reported that the rector of the Holy Dormition religious community of the UOC, from which the Assumption Church of Kremenchuk was taken away, “arbitrarily, in violation of the procedure established by law, does not hand over the keys and does not allow the chairman of the parish council of the religious organization ‘Stavropegial RG Holy Dormition Parish of the OCU of Kremenchuk’ to enter the church premises. These actions harmed the interests of the religious community.”

During an inspection on January 11, 2025, on the territory of the Holy Dormition Cathedral of the UOC, it was found that at the main entrance to the church, as well as at other entrances, concrete foundation blocks were placed that prevent access to the premises. The blocks had inscriptions on them in black and red paint, indicating that they were purposefully used to block the entrances.

In total, law enforcement officers seized 13 blocks, which were recognized as “tools for committing a criminal offense”. They were handed over to the local police station for safekeeping. The prosecutor, in turn, filed a motion with the court to seize the blocks, as “they are material objects containing information that can be used as evidence in criminal proceedings.”

As reported, on December 27, 2024, supporters of the OCU, with the assistance of the police, carried out a raider seizure of the Holy Dormition Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kremenchuk, Poltava region. The raiders cut off the locks on the central doors of the church and, having made their way inside, broke down the Royal Gate “to conduct an inventory” in the altar of the cathedral.