Priest of Ukrainian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate detained in Kharkiv for Russian propaganda
A clergyman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was detained in Kharkiv for publicly humiliating Ukrainians and justifying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.
According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.
According to the investigation, between March and July 2025, the clergyman of one of the religious communities of the Kharkiv diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) systematically spread anti-Ukrainian narratives. The cleric left comments on pro-Russian Telegram channels in which he humiliated Ukrainians and formed a derogatory and stereotypically negative image of the people.
“In addition, in his posts, he broadcast Kremlin propaganda, in particular stating that ‘Kharkiv has always been, is, and will remain a Russian city,’ effectively justifying the Russian Federation's armed aggression against Ukraine,” the OGP noted.
During searches of the religious building of the UOC-MP, where the cleric lived, law enforcement officers seized a mobile phone with evidence of illegal activity, as well as cash in Russian rubles and other currencies totaling more than ₴2.6 million. According to preliminary data, these funds could have been received as remuneration for carrying out information and subversive activities in favor of the aggressor state.
Law enforcement officers detained the clergyman.
Under the procedural guidance of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, he was notified of suspicion under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part 1 of Article 161 - intentional actions aimed at inciting national enmity and hatred; Parts 2 and 3 of Article 436-2 - repeated production and distribution of materials containing justification of the Russian Federation's armed aggression against Ukraine.
At the request of the prosecution, the court imposed a preventive measure in the form of detention on the suspect.
During the pre-trial investigation, evidence was also found of other criminal offenses against the state security of Ukraine, in particular, the unauthorized dissemination of information about the locations of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During the investigation, the issue of additional legal qualification of the suspect's actions will be decided.
As reported by Ukrinform, the Holosiivska Pustyn monastery of the Moscow Patriarchate will be checked for ties to the Russian Orthodox Church.
First photo is illustrative: SSU