Conflict Escalates Around UOC Church in Vilne: Believers Report Raiding Attempt

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, parishioners of the St. Panteleimon Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the village of Vilne face the threat of losing their place of worship. According to local sources, a group of activists affiliated with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) held a meeting back in 2023 where they declared the community’s “transition” to the OCU. This was reported by the “Dozor” channel on Pershyi Kozatskyi.

According to the UOC believers, the documents submitted to the regional administration were falsified. For a long time, officials refrained from making a decision, fearing a clear violation of the law. However, on April 3, 2025, the church was re-registered — which UOC parishioners consider illegal.

Shortly before Easter, representatives of the OCU attempted to enter the church, but the UOC community did not allow it. It is reported that police intervention prevented a forceful seizure of the building. Meanwhile, the church has been closed during the ongoing investigation.

Currently, OCU activists continue to gather near the village club and, according to locals, have not abandoned their efforts to gain full control over the church.

Earlier it was also reported that on Bright Monday, April 21, 2025, the Archangel Michael Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Stavchany, Chernivtsi region, was seized. The takeover was carried out by OCU activists with the support of a cleric from another village.