OCU suspends hierarch who organized scheme to evade mobilization

on November 13, 2025, the Synod of the OCU decided to temporarily suspend Kirill Mikhailuk from the administration of the Uzhhorod-Khust Diocese. The reason was accusations of unlawful obstruction of mobilization during martial law. The temporary administration of the diocese was entrusted to the head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko, and a special commission was set up to investigate the circumstances of the case.

The decision was made during an emergency meeting of the Synod of the OCU in the format of a teleconference. According to Order No. 74, published on the official website of the OCU, the grounds for the suspension were «published court documents that indicate suspicion of unlawful obstruction of mobilization during martial law and the provision of false documents for this purpose.»

For the period of the investigation, Kirill Mikhailuk is prohibited from issuing any certificates, certificates and certificates «of membership in the clergy» on his own behalf or on behalf of the Uzhhorod-Khust diocese. From November 13, 2025, the temporary administration of the diocese was entrusted to Epiphany Dumenko personally.

To study in detail the state of affairs in the Uzhhorod-Khust Diocese, the Synod of the OCU established a special commission. The personal composition of the commission will be approved by a separate decree of the head of the OCU.

As reported, the day before it became known that 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 amechanism for issuing fictitious certificates of clergy rank to men liable formilitary service for a monetary reward, which allowed them to avoid being drafted into the army.