Suspicious thugs, weapons and propaganda found at Moscow-linked Orthodox Church premises
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has found suspicious persons, unregistered weapons and Russian propaganda at premises belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) in Kyiv and Kherson oblasts.
Source: Security Service of Ukraine
Details: The SSU reported that it has completed its counter-intelligence (security) activities at UOC-MP sites in Kyiv and Kherson oblasts.
As a result, 16 suspicious persons were found on the territory of St Nicholasʼs Desert Skete, which is located in the "forbidden" Chornobyl zone. Among them are men of athletic build.
The Security Service notes that they were there illegally, since civilians do not have the right to enter the exclusion zone, which Russian troops tried to break through on their way to Kyiv in February and March of this year.
Reports on administrative offences have now been drawn up against these individuals under Article 46-1 of the Administrative Code ("Violation of the requirements of the radiation safety regime in areas exposed to radioactive contamination"). Their involvement in crimes against state security is being investigated.
In an attic of the same premises, SSU officers found a camouflage net, which is usually used for military purposes, such as disguising weapons, equipment and engineering structures.
A gun without proper permits, a Russian flag and a golden Russian coat of arms were found on premises belonging to the Kherson diocese.
The SSU also noted down information about several clergymen who are probably in contact with citizens of Russia and Belarus. In addition, law enforcement officers found propaganda materials glorifying Russia.
The security measures were carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine jointly with the National Police of Ukraine and volunteer formations of territorial communities with the direct participation of representatives of the UOC-MP.
Background:
- On 1 December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) had instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to propose that the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) institute a ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), and also initiated a review of the legality of the UOC-MP’s presence at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves).
- In recent weeks, the SSU has conducted many searches at institutions of the UOC-MP. These are connected with propaganda of the "Russian world" in churches of the UOC-MP. Many clergymen have been notified of suspicion.
- In particular, checks have been carried out in Zhytomyr, Rivne, Zakarpattia and other oblasts.
- On 9 December, security measures were conducted on the premises of the Pokrovskyy Cathedral in the city of Boryspil, Kyiv Oblast.
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