In Odessa, a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was tried for “inciting national hatred”

The Peresypsky District Court of Odessa has sentenced a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church who was accused of “inciting national hatred” and “justifying Russian aggression.” According to the investigation, the priest criticized Ukraine’s current state policy and the actions of activists. This was reported by Suspilne.Odessa.

According to the investigation, between 2024 and 2025, the UOC priest “in conversations with his wife and other people” justified the actions of the Russian Federation, called Ukraine ‘Ukropia’ and Ukrainian activists “Nazis,” approved of the demolition of monuments, and disparaged the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In court, he pleaded guilty, stating that he had succumbed to Russian propaganda and repented.

The court sentenced him to five years in prison and banned him from holding positions related to public service and local government for three years. At the same time, the priest was released from serving his main sentence with a probation period of three years.

Earlier, we reported that the International Organization “Club of National Unity,” which includes representatives of the Ukrainian political community who left the country due to political pressure, published a list of political prisoners who have been detained or convicted in Ukraine for political or religious reasons. The list, which consists of 368 people, also includes representatives of the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.