Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine: Russia wants to intervene in election through “Orthodox pilgrims”

At the end of April, Russia plans to organize a pilgrimage of Orthodox Russians to Kyiv shrines, and, under the guise of pilgrims, it will send employees of special services and instigators. Espresso media outlet reported this referring to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

As projected by the intelligence service, Russia plans to interfere with the presidential election throughout Ukraine, in particular, by involving representatives and supporters of the UOC-Moscow Patriarchate.

“Russia will use a religious factor to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, in particular during the celebration of the Palm Week (April 21-28), putting up provocations related to the failure of Russia to recognize the outcome of the presidential election in our country,” the statement said.

As is noted, for this purpose, the Russian side will organize a pilgrimage of the Orthodox to Kyiv shrines. At the same time, under the guise of pilgrims, it plans to dispatch to Ukraine employees of special services and fighters of Orthodox crede prepared to stage actions of street disobedience.

It should be noted that the second round of the presidential elections in Ukraine is scheduled for April 21.