The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Dnipro has exposed an anti-Ukrainian campaign by a Russian supporter associated with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), who justified Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of Ukrainian territories.
According to the SBU press service, the individual, who is a resident of Dnipro and a parishioner of one of the UOC-MP parishes, provided services to clergy in the production of religious paraphernalia.
This person actively promoted pro-Russian narratives among his close circle and fellow parishioners, advocating for support of the so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine.
Investigations revealed that before the war, the agitator visited annexed Crimea, where he accumulated anti-Ukrainian propaganda messages.
Additionally, he had participated in "Immortal Regiment" events on multiple occasions.
After the full-scale aggression by the aggressor into our country, he became more active in communicating within pro-Russian online communities on the banned social network "VKontakte." Posts on his personal page and comments made had a destructive nature.
In these posts, the pro-Russian supporter praised the actions of the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation, called for changes in the borders of Ukraine, denied the existence of an independent Ukraine, and glorified the war crimes of the enemy.
As part of the criminal investigation, SBU investigators seized computer equipment and mobile phones used by the individual in his unlawful activities.
In the framework of the criminal case, the suspect has been informed of suspicion under Article 436-2, parts 2 and 3 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Article 436-2 provides for a punishment of imprisonment for a term of up to eight years.
The exposure and prevention of illegal activities were carried out by the employees of the SBU in the Dnipropetrovsk region under the procedural guidance of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor's Office.