OCU hierarch Mikhail Zinkevich calls to "destroy or send for exchange" representatives of UOC

on January 29, 2026, “Metropolitan” Mikhail Zinkevich of Volyn and Lutsk of the OCU, speaking at an event dedicated to the 118th anniversary of the battle of Kruty, made a number of extremely harsh statements. Reportedly, Zinkevich called for a massacre of the so-called “Zhduns” – people whom he accused of waiting for the arrival of Russian troops – separately singling out representatives of the UOC clergy.

In his speech, the OCU hierarch directly pointed to the presence of “zhduns” throughout the country, including Volyn and Lutsk.“Zhduns in Volyn, Zhduns in Lutsk, Zhduns all over Ukraine. And these people are marching today with blue and yellow flags. These people are marching today with different signs. These people are wearing cassocks today,” Zinkevich said.

The most resonant proposals concerned the methods of dealing with the detected “zhduns”. Zinkevich stated:“If we want to live, if you value your life, the “zhduns” must be identified and at least acted upon in a Christian way – for exchange. If not destroyed, then exchanged.”

It is worth noting that although Mikhail Zinkevich did not directly name the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), the context of his speech and the mention of “cassocks” and a specific case in Volyn, where, according to him, “the reapers led by the Church block the road to avoid mobilization,” clearly indicates the clergy of the UOC as the main target of his criticism.“They will not be different. And those who are in Russia will not change. Neither will those who are in Ukraine,” the “metropolitan” emphasized, adding that they “teach forgiveness,” which he apparently considers inappropriate in the context of the conflict.

Earlier, Metropolitan Volodymyr of Volodymyr-Volyn and Kovel, who heads the Volodymyr-Volyn Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), made an emergency appeal to the leadership of the Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police of Ukraine in Volyn region. In his statement, the hierarch expressed deep concern and pain over the increasing pressure on the clergy and faithful of the diocese.