Security Service of Ukraine searches 350 buildings of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate

The Security Service of Ukraine has found pro-Russian literature, millions in cash, and "suspicious" Russian citizens while conducting security measures in buildings of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) on 22 November.

Source: Press service of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU)

Details: The SSU has conducted counterintelligence measures in Sviato-Uspenska [Holy Assumption] Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Sviato-Troitskyi Monastery [Monastery of the Holy Trinity] in Korets (Rivne Oblast), and the buildings of the Sarny-Polissia diocese of the UOC MP in Rivne Oblast. 

It is reported that more than 350 religious establishments and 850 people have been searched, as the SSU combined their efforts with the National Police and the National Guard of Ukraine. 

More than 50 people underwent in-depth interviews; one of these interviews involved the use of a polygraph, as the Security Service noted. The people interviewed were not only Ukrainian citizens, but also foreigners, including Russian citizens who were present at that time. 

During the inspection of documents, some of them provided their USSR-issued passports and military IDs, had only scanned copies of their documents and not originals, or had Ukrainian citizens’ passports with visual signs of damage or counterfeit. The Security Service stated that they were conducting an in-depth review regarding those people. 

Additionally, a 32-year-old Ukrainian citizen who could be related to illegal activities by Antvan, a pro-Russian information agency in Ukraine was reportedly present at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. 

He is a trustee of the Russian citizen Alexander Orlov, the owner of the Russian company Antvan Group. Orlov had a number of land plots and catering establishments in Ukraine. All this property has now been seized as part of the criminal proceedings. 

In addition, the following things have been discovered during the security measures:

• pro-Russian literature that is used in the education process at a seminary and parish schools with the purpose to propagate "russkiy mir" [a Russian imperialist ideology where Russians are portrayed as saviours – ed.]; 
• more than 2 million UAH [approximately US$54,000], more than US$100,000, and a few thousand Russian roubles – all in cash. 

It is stressed that the security measures mentioned were conducted according to the law. 

Background:

• The Security Service of Ukraine conducted counterintelligence measures at the Holy Assumption Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a monastery in Kyiv.
• The press office of the authority has reported that those measures are being undertaken jointly with the National Police and the National Guard, as part of the Security Service’s systematic efforts to counter sabotage activities conducted by Russian special forces in Ukraine.
• In addition to Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Ukraine’s Security Service has visited a UOC MP monastery in Rivne Oblast, looking for sabotage and reconnaissance groups and weapons.
• Earlier, prayers for Russia were said at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves). Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), has reported that the evidence is already being studied by the SSU. Later, the Security Service of Ukraine opened a criminal case with respect to the expression of Russian propaganda at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (the Monastery of the Caves in Kyiv).
• Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, has announced that searches at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (the Monastery of the Caves) show that Ukraine is at war with the Russian Orthodox Church.

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