Photo: SSU press service
Completion of the pre-trial investigation
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has completed a pre-trial investigation into a group of people who, under the guise of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), carried out information sabotage commissioned by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB). Among the accused is the head of the capital’s church, who was a member of the Russian special service’s agent network, TimeUkraineIsrael reports, citing the SSU press service.
Coordination of sabotage activities
As part of the investigation, it was found that the clergyman coordinated the activities of three accomplices who, acting as “political experts”, actively spread Kremlin narratives in Kyiv. These materials, which justified Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, were aimed at inciting interfaith hatred on Ukrainian lands.
Detention of the defendants
In March 2024, the SSU detained all four defendants in the case. The indictments against them have now been submitted to court. The criminals face life imprisonment with confiscation of property for their crimes.
Detection of an agent network
According to the investigation, the defendants were part of one of the largest FSB agent networks operating in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war. The SSU’s prompt response made it possible to neutralise the enemy agents at the early stages of their subversive activities.
Hiding participants
As of today, more than 10 other members of this intelligence network are on the international wanted list, as they are hiding outside Ukraine. It has been established that the accused cleric personally controlled the distribution of anti-Ukrainian content through social media channels, including Telegram and YouTube, as well as on Facebook pages and official websites of various dioceses of the UOC (MP).
Spreading disinformation
After the publication of the paid-for materials, they were immediately picked up by central Russian TV channels and online publications, which actively spread fake news about Ukraine, hoping to discredit our country in the international arena.
Charges and criminal liability
Based on the evidence collected, the detainees are charged under a number of articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, including:
- ч. 2 Art. 111 (high treason committed under martial law);
- ч. 6, Art. 111-1 (collaboration);
- ч. 4 of Art. 28, Art. 255(1), (2) (creation and participation in a criminal organisation);
- ч. 4, Art. 28, Art. 161, para. 3 (incitement to religious hatred and enmity committed by an organised group);
- ч. 4 of Art. 28, paras. 2, 3 of Art. 436-2 (justification, recognition of the lawfulness, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine).
The operation was conducted by the SBU in Kyiv and Kyiv region under the supervision of the Kyiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.
Legal implications
As a reminder, under Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.
