Suspicious thugs, weapons and propaganda: what SSU finds at UOC-MP facilities

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) found suspicious persons, unregistered weapons, and Russian propaganda at the facilities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) in Kyiv and Kherson oblasts. Source: Security Service of Ukraine Details: The SSU reported that it has completed its counter-intelligence (security) activities at the UOC-MP facilities in Kyiv and Kherson oblasts.

As a result, 16 suspicious persons were found on the territory of St Nicholas's Desert Skete, which is located in the "forbidden" Chornobyl zone. Among them are men of athletic build.

The Security Service notes that they were at the facility illegally, since civilians do not have the right to be in the exclusion zone, through which Russian troops tried to break through to Kyiv in February-March of this year.

Currently, reports on administrative offences under Article 46-1 of the Administrative Code, "violation of the requirements of the radiation safety regime in areas exposed to radioactive contamination" have been drawn up against the identified persons. Their involvement in crimes against state security is being investigated.

In the attic of the same facility, SSU officers found a camouflage net, which is usually used for military purposes, such as disguising weapons, equipment and engineering structures.

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On the premises of the Kherson diocese, a gun without proper permits, a Russian flag and golden coat of arms were found.

The special service also took into account information about several clergymen who are probably in contact with citizens of Russia and Belarus. In addition, law enforcement officers found propaganda materials where Russia is glorified.

The security measures were carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine jointly with the National Police of Ukraine and volunteer formations of territorial communities with the direct participation of representatives of the UOC-MP. Background:

• On 1 December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to propose that the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) institute a ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), and also initiated a review of the legality of the UOC-MP's presence at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves).
• In recent weeks, the SSU has conducted many searches in the institutions of the UOC-MP. They are connected with the propaganda of the "Russian world" in the churches of the UOC-MP.

  Many clergymen were informed about the suspicions. 

• In particular, checks were carried out in Zhytomyr, Rivne, Zakarpattia and other oblasts.
• On 9 December, security measures were conducted on the premises of the Pokrovskyy Cathedral in the city of Boryspil, Kyiv Oblast.

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