Journalist Lana Samokhvalova Spreads Fake News Claiming the UOC Is Affiliated with Russia

On May 27, media outlets circulated information alleging that the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (SSEFC) had recognized the Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). This false claim was published by journalist Yaroslava Mishchenko, also known as Lana Samokhvalova, a lobbyist for the OCU and editor-in-chief of the website “Ukraine Orthodox.”

The SSEFC press office officially refuted this information. The investigation into the possible affiliation of the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC with a foreign religious organization banned in Ukraine began only on May 20, 2025, and is still ongoing.

The official statement emphasizes that the conclusions circulating online are false and completely unfounded. The results of the investigation will be made public after its completion on the official SSEFC website.

As reported earlier, the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelensky, spoke about the timing of the ban on the Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The official claims that the State Service is ready to give the Church another 60 days if the examination finds signs of affiliation of the UOC with the Moscow Patriarchate. During this time, according to Yelensky, the UOC will be able to convene a Local Council, at which it will declare a complete break with the ROC.