Stolen icons, Russian passports, flag of "Novorossiya": Security Service of Ukraine shows what it found in shrines of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate

The Security Service of Ukraine [SSU] has completed counterintelligence measures щт the premises of shrines of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate [UOC-MP] in Kherson, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr and Volyn oblasts.

Source: SSU press service

Details: The SSU reports that law enforcement officers found Russian passports, pro-Kremlin literature, "documents" of the Russian occupation administrations and flags of LPR/DPR [the self-proclaimed "Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics" ] terrorist organisations on the territory of the dioceses.

In addition, the SSU established that during the occupation of Kherson, the local archimandrite, i.e., rector of the Assumption Cathedral was present in the Kremlin Hall in Moscow during the announcement of the annexation of four Ukrainian oblasts.

Several days before the liberation of the city of Kherson, the priest, accompanied by Russian invaders, fled to the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine’s south.

SSU officers have found a collection of icons that Russians stole from the house of the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania during the occupation of Kherson.

Following the further inspection of the church premises, fake IDs issued for "federal adviser of the civil and military administration of the Russian Federation" and Russian passports of local priests have been found. Moreover, the IDs were issued this year, during the occupation of Kherson.

Criminal proceedings were initiated under Art. 111.2 (high treason committed under martial law) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

In addition, a flag of the so-called "Novorossiya" [an illegal confederation of the Russian-backed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) in the east of Ukraine – ed.] and a library with propaganda literature written by Russian authors were found in the Krasnohirsk Holy Protection Convent in Cherkasy Oblast.

In the monastery of the Ovruch and Korosten diocese and the Skete in Zhytomyr Oblast, the SBU found a group of former criminals who had kept in touch with Russian addressees. The Service is currently checking these contacts.

A person who has been on the nationwide wanted list as missing since 2020 was found in another monastery in Zhytomyr Oblast.

During the inspection of the premises of St. Nicholas Miletskyi Monastery, the texts of prayers for the aggressor country and Russian "textbooks" praising the Kremlin regime have been found.

Currently, all seized materials have been sent for examination for further procedural actions.

Quote: "We emphasise that in its activities, the Security Service of Ukraine adheres to the principle of impartiality to the activities of any religious denomination, and respects the right of every citizen to freedom of worldview and religion, as defined by the Constitution of Ukraine."

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