OCU hierarch organizes scheme to evade mobilization

The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating a large-scale scheme to facilitate mobilization evasion organized by representatives of the clergy of one of the dioceses of the OCU. According to the investigation, the head of the Uzhhorod-Khust Diocese of the OCU, Kirill Mikhailuk, set up a mechanism for issuing fictitious certificates of clergy rank to men liable for military service for a monetary reward, which allowed them to avoid being drafted into the army.

According to the Vgolos media outlet, citing a ruling of the Halych District Court of Lviv, Kyrylo Mykhailyuk organized the issuance of fake certificates of deacons and priests. «The use of these certificates creates a false idea among the employees of the TCC and JV that this category of persons belongs to the clergy, who allegedly cannot participate in hostilities,» the court document says. It is noted that the organizers of the scheme also helped to resolve «problematic issues» with the TCC employees.

Other ministers were also involved in criminal activities. In particular, the chancellor of the diocese, on the instructions of Bishop Kirill, was engaged in the preparation of fictitious documents and the subsequent entry of the data of the «newly ordained priests» on the official website of the diocese. According to law enforcement officials, more than 20 men, including residents of Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, and Zakarpattia regions, received illegal ordination in this way.

A pre-trial investigation is currently underway in the framework of criminal proceedings on the facts of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The court granted the request of the SBU investigators and provided temporary access to the data of mobile operators regarding calls, SMS messages and IP addresses of the defendants in the case. This information will be used as evidence.

Earlier we reported that the head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko , met with the head of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Oleksandr Vovkotecha. During the dialogue, the parties discussed key aspects of reforming the service in times of war, the training of chaplains and rehabilitation programs for veterans.