SBU exposes two UOC-MP clergymen collaborating with enemy in Odesa

This was reported by the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

A 58-year-old priest from the Odesa diocese of the UOC-MP is among those detained. He allegedly glorified the occupiers during conversations with parishioners and insulted the religious beliefs of followers of other faiths.

The suspect is reported to have maintained connections with Igor Markov, a former People's Deputy from the Party of Regions. Markov is currently wanted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on charges of treason and is believed to be hiding in Russia.

Furthermore, the priest was in contact with collaborator Valery Kaurov, who fled to Russia in 2014 and announced the establishment of the Kremlin-sponsored “Odessa People's Republic - Novorossiya.” At Kaurov's request, the priest and his 23-year-old daughter were photographed holding blank sheets of paper in front of well-known locations in Odesa, and they sent these photos to Russia.

Russian propagandists falsely claimed that calls for occupying the regional center came from local residents, using blank sheets as evidence.

Subsequently, the Kremlin's mouthpieces “spread” the fabricated fakes on Russian TV and Telegram channels under the guise of publications by the pro-Russian “underground.”

Another detainee in the port city is a 44-year-old protopriest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, who justified Russian shelling of Ukraine's civilian infrastructure in his sermons.

Forensic linguistic examinations conducted by the Security Service confirmed that the suspects were involved in subversive activities supporting the aggressor country.

SBU investigators have charged both clergymen with crimes under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

▪️ Parts 2 and 3 of Article 436-2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);

▪️ Part 1 of Article 161 (violation of the equality of citizens depending on their religious beliefs).

The perpetrators face up to 8 years in prison with confiscation of property.