SBU detains two pro-Russian priests in Odessa: how they worked for propaganda

The priests were photographed with blank sheets of paper against the backdrop of well-known locations in Odessa and sent these pictures to their curators in Russia, where the materials were used to create fakes about support for the occupation. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against them for justifying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and violating the equality of citizens based on their religious beliefs. The offenders face up to eight years in prison with confiscation of property.

The Security Service of Ukraine has detained two pro-Kremlin clerics of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate) in Odessa, who praised and justified Russia's military crimes. The detainees, a 58-year-old priest of the Odessa diocese of the UOC and a 44-year-old archpriest of the UOC (MP), engaged in propaganda and cooperated with former people's deputy from the 'Party of Regions' Igor Markov and collaborator Valery Kauryov, who are hiding in Russia.

As a result of the operation of the Security Service of Ukraine, pro-Kremlin activities of the priests have been identified, which contributed to Russian propaganda and violated the laws of Ukraine. The actions of these individuals may have serious consequences for their future activities and for relations between Ukraine and Russia.