Ukraine: Over 120 'agents in cassocks' have been served notice of suspicion for collaborating with the enemy

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Security Service of Ukraine has opened 174 criminal proceedings against UOC-MP clerics. Of these, 122 have already been notified of suspicion, and 31 have been convicted. This was announced by Vasyl Maliuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), during a meeting with journalists, according to We Are Ukraine.

Individuals associated with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate have been implicated in criminal cases. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) accuses them of collaboration, treason, and cooperation with the enemy.

Vasyl Maliuk, the head of the SBU, emphasized, "One area of focus is combating 'agents in cassocks.' If they commit crimes against national security or any other offenses, we will classify them according to current legislation and hold them accountable. While the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and freedom of religion, we must document those who support the aggressor."

Maliuk also stated, "While having a cassock and censer is not an aggravating circumstance, it does not exempt anyone from criminal responsibility." He stressed that there will be no leniency for individuals working against Ukraine while using their church rank as a shield.

Recently, the court found Metropolitan Panteleimon (Povoroznyuk) of Luhansk and Alchevsk of the UOC-MP guilty of collaboration and cooperation with the occupiers.

As RISU reported in early May 2025, the SBU exposed three clergymen of the UOC-MP who praised the Russian invaders and anticipated the capture of the Kyiv and Cherkasy regions. The case file revealed that during sermons and interactions with parishioners, the defendants justified the Kremlin's actions and called for support for the occupiers.

In total, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the SBU has initiated:

• 3,890 criminal proceedings for treason (3,470 suspects, 1,048 convictions);
• 9,552 proceedings for collaboration and aiding the aggressor state (8,319 suspects, 1,955 convictions);
• 662 proceedings for passing data about the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the enemy or providing targeting information for shelling (545 suspects, 207 convictions);
• 304 proceedings for sabotage (320 suspects, 22 convictions);
• 765 proceedings for terrorist activity (836 suspects, 425 convictions). (Quelle: www.risu.ua, 23. Juni 2025)