The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), in collaboration with the National Police, has apprehended the rector of one of the UOC-MP (Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate) churches in the Kherson region. He was clandestinely involved in the sale of Russian weaponry and ammunition, which remained after Russian-backed forces retreated during the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Source: SBU
It has been documented that the cleric stored hostile arsenals in two hideouts, with one of them located directly on the premises of a new UOC-MP church construction site in Kherson.
SBU agents arrested him "in flagrante delicto," gradually documenting his attempt to sell two portable anti-aircraft missile complexes, "Igla," along with their components.
As an "addition" to these anti-aircraft missile systems, the priest "offered" to sell ammunition for handheld rocket-propelled grenade launchers RPG-7.
The seller, dressed in religious garb, estimated the value of these munitions at 115,000 Ukrainian hryvnias.
It was established that the suspect sought out his clients through his own connections, including within criminal circles.
The diversion of weapons to individuals in the criminal world could have led to an escalation of the internal situation in Kherson, particularly through provocations initiated by Russian special services.
During the inspection of the hideout on the construction site of the new UOC-MP church in Kherson, five rounds and two explosive charges for grenade launchers were confiscated.
The second hideout was located in the basement of a nine-story building, where the priest stored:
The suspect has been informed of charges under Article 263, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, or explosives). He has been remanded in custody pending trial.
The offender could face up to 7 years in prison.
All confiscated weapons and ammunition will undergo expert examination and will subsequently be transferred for the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.