SSU Claims to Have “Exposed” UOC Clergy Allegedly Supporting Russian Aggression

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has announced the «exposure» of three clergymen of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), accusing them of promoting pro-Russian views and «justifying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.» The statement was published on the SSU’s official channel.

According to the investigation, one of the individuals involved — a UOC parish priest in the Fastiv district of Kyiv region — allegedly glorified Russian soldiers and expressed hope for the region’s occupation during conversations with parishioners. He is also accused of spreading false information about the Ukrainian Armed Forces and denying airstrikes on civilian infrastructure.

The SSU stated that this priest previously lived in Luhansk region and moved to Kyiv region after the start of the full-scale invasion.

In addition, the SSU reported the detention of two more UOC clerics in Cherkasy region — the abbot of a church and a monk from a men’s monastery. According to the case materials, they allegedly spoke positively about the Russian president and pro-Russian armed groups and expressed hope for the occupation of central Ukraine.

The SSU claims that one of the accused regularly sent «propagandistic» messages to parishioners via messaging apps. During searches, mobile phones and literature described by security officers as «pro-Kremlin» were allegedly seized.

Based on forensic linguistic examinations, the SSU has charged all three individuals under Articles 436-2 parts 1, 2, and 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — «justification, recognition as lawful, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, and glorification of its participants.» If convicted, they face up to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property.

According to official reports, the investigative actions took place in Kyiv, Kyiv region, and Cherkasy region under the procedural supervision of regional prosecutors’ offices.

Earlier, it was reported that political analyst and former MP Oleksandr Chernenko stated the SSU had carried out a large-scale operation over the past two years to «expose and dismantle networks of Russian agents operating under the cover of clergy.»