During the inspection of the premises of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) of the Moscow Patriarchate (MP) in Bukovyna, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) revealed manuals from Moscow, Russian citizenship of the diocesan leadership and the occupiers' IDs.
Counterintelligence activities were conducted on the territory of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese of the UOC (MP), the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine reported. According to LB.ua, the search was conducted in the consistory (administration of the diocese). In particular, in the cell of Metropolitan Meletiy, where he permanently resides. He is the most likely candidate for the post of bishop of the UOC-MP instead of Pavlo.
According to sources, at the time of the search, the secretary of the Chernivtsi Eparchy of the UOC-MP, Archimandrite Nikita, was caught in a moment of physical intimacy with a boy who sings in a local choir.
"As a result of investigative actions, law enforcement officers found documents confirming the fact that the leadership of the diocesan structures have Russian citizenship. Also, the correspondence of the diocesan leaders with their Moscow curators was exposed, in which they receive "manuals" on the "peculiarities" of holding church liturgies after a full-scale invasion," law enforcement officers noted in a press release.
According to the investigation, representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church set the task to engage in disinformation about the socio-political situation in Ukraine and the situation at the front. In particular, they demanded that the priests of the UOC deny Russia's armed aggression, talk about the alleged oppression of the "Moscow church", etc.
The Security Service of Ukraine also found warehouses with massive quantities of pro-Kremlin literature praising Russia and calling to support the occupiers.
In addition, during the inspection of the computers of the diocesan leadership, photocopies of certificates of russians who participated in hostilities against Ukrainian troops were found. Among such documents is a certificate of "hero of Russia", signed by the Russian Defence Minister for the "capture of Crimea" in 2014.
Procedural actions in the framework of the criminal proceeding initiated by the SBU investigators under Part 2 Art. 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine are ongoing.
The operation was conducted by the SBU officers in Chernivtsi Region under the procedural supervision of the Regional Prosecutor's Office.
In November, the SBU conducted a series of counterintelligence activities on the premises of the UOC (MP). On 22 November, they took place on the territory of the Holy Dormition Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, the Korets Holy Trinity Monastery and the premises of the Sarny and Polissya Diocese of the UOC in Rivne Кegion.
A 32-year-old Ukrainian who may be involved in the illegal activities of the Antwan pro-Russian news agency was detained on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. They also found pro-Russian literature used in seminary and parish schools, including for propaganda of the "Russian world", and cash totalling more than UAH 2 million, over 100 thousand dollars and several thousand Russian rubles.
Propaganda materials were found on the territory of the Sarny Diocese of the UOC in Rivne Region.