SBU Head: Russia has not played the religion and language cards yet

Russian intelligence services are preparing for a large-scale destabilization of the situation in Ukraine on a national, linguistic and religious basis.

This was stated by the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Hrytsak in London during a speech at the forum Ukrainian Week in London, broadcast by Priamyy TV channel.

“The agents of Russian special services in public and political bodies initiate provocations on a national and religious basis. I will say frankly that Russia has not fully played the religion and language card yet.

Now, in connection with the course adopted by the Ukrainian leaders for getting the Tomos and autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, independent from Moscow, you cannot imagine the attacks we suffer. Attacks on those involved in this process, and even on the SBU,” said the Head of the SBU.

He added that the Ukrainian security forces had not beenn ready for the aggression of the Russian Federation.

“As of 2014, there were more than 600 pro-Russian organizations - cultural, religious, sports and other associations. With one push of the button they were activated. And when we were already actively fighting in the east, the Bessarabia project was created to set up the second front, to create the so-called Bessarabian People's Council,” added Hrytsak.