In Volyn, the court will consider the case of a UOC subdeacon accused of allegedly spreading pro-Russian propaganda

In Volyn, an indictment has been submitted to the court against a 26-year-old resident of the city of Volodymyr, who, according to the prosecution, systematically distributed publications on social media with “anti-Ukrainian content” and “justification of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.” According to investigators, the man is a subdeacon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The regional outlet BUG reported this.

Law enforcement authorities claim that between June 2024 and May 2025, he allegedly posted materials on his Facebook page that, in the opinion of the investigation, contained “justifications of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.”

The prosecution believes that in his posts, the man referred to residents of several Ukrainian regions as “Nazis who glorified Bandera” and called to “break this government and everyone close to it.” In addition, according to the accusation, he allegedly wrote that it was Ukrainians’ actions that led to the war.

The Security Service of Ukraine stated that the suspect “acted under the influence of hostile propaganda.”

The pre-trial investigation was conducted by the Volyn regional office of the SSU. The criminal proceedings have been classified under Part 2 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (distribution of materials justifying armed aggression against Ukraine). The case is now under consideration in court, which must establish all the circumstances and make a final decision regarding the possible guilt of the accused.

Earlier, it was reported that in Zaporizhzhia, a Russian military intelligence agent network was allegedly exposed, which, according to the SBU, was coordinated by a UOC priest. The SSU claims that the rector of one of the local churches sought out parishioners with pro-Russian views and “recruited them to work in the interests of the Russian Federation.” According to the SSU, during sermons, the cleric allegedly “justified Russia’s aggression and war crimes,” after which he “began forming an agent network.”