Ukrainian intelligence finds ‘pro-Kremlin literature’ at Kharkiv eparchy of Ukrainian Orthodox Church

On December 10, Ukrainian Special Services announced the completion of “counterintelligence measures” on the territory of the Kharkiv eparchy (the Orthodox Christian equivalent of a Catholic diocese) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Libraries with pro-Kremlin literature, materials praising the aggressor, and a large amount of cash in various currencies, including Russian rubles, were found on the territories of the eparchy.

Occupying units even stored dry rations at one of the churches. And a monk with a Russian passport was exposed there.

The press release doesn’t specify whether the church where dry rations were found was under Russian occupation in 2022.

The Russian monk is being examined in relation to “possible participation in subversive intelligence activities” for the Russian Federation.

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• In the second half of November, Ukrainian special services conducted “counterintelligence measures” at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. They also claimed to find pro-Russian literature during those searches.
• A draft law in the Verkhovna Rada would ban the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is a self-governing part of the Russian Orthodox Church. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed banning the activities of religious organizations with ties to Russia.
• In May, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church declared its full autonomy and independence from the Moscow Patriarchate. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church says it does not agree with the Patriarch Kirill’s position — he supported the war in Ukraine. Liturgical communication between the Ukrainian and Russian churches remains intact.