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The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) is at the center of numerous controversies in Ukraine. Investigations reveal connections between church officials and pro-Russian activities, raising questions about the church's role during Ukraine's ongoing crisis. The recent discovery of an underground school promoting Russian ideologies within the UOC-MP has led to criminal proceedings. Amid these tensions, the Ukrainian government is considering legislation to regulate religious organizations linked to the Russian Federation. Public sentiment is divided, with significant support for a complete ban on the UOC-MP. This ongoing issue continues to affect Ukraine's socio-political landscape in 2026.

What allegations are made against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church?

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC-MP) faces allegations of collaborating with pro-Russian elements. Several clerics have been accused of espionage, passing military secrets to Russia, and inciting pro-Russian sentiments among parishioners, leading to significant legal proceedings and public outcry.

How is the Ukrainian government responding to the UOC-MP's activities?

The Ukrainian government, led by President Zelenskyy, is actively proposing legislation to ban religious organizations associated with the Russian Federation, including the UOC-MP. This move aims to curb potential threats to national security and protect Ukraine's sovereignty.

What public opinion exists regarding the activities of the UOC-MP in Ukraine?

Public opinion in Ukraine is sharply divided. According to recent surveys, a significant portion of the population supports a total ban on the UOC-MP due to its perceived connections to Russia and alleged involvement in anti-Ukrainian activities. This sentiment influences governmental actions and policies.

Are there any legal proceedings against UOC-MP members?

Yes, multiple legal proceedings are underway against UOC-MP members accused of espionage, disseminating military secrets to Russia, and participating in pro-Russian propaganda. These cases highlight ongoing efforts by Ukrainian authorities to address national security concerns.

What international reactions have been noted concerning Ukraine's policy on UOC-MP?

International reactions vary, with some entities criticizing Ukraine's policies as religious persecution. The UN and Vatican have expressed concerns about potential infringements on religious freedom, urging Ukraine to ensure that legal measures comply with international human rights norms.

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Photo news Ukrainian Orthodox Church

traitor from the UOC-MP Cleric of UOC-MP directed ’Iskander’ missiles at Odesa; he has been detained, – SSU. PHOTO The Security Service’s counter-intelligence unit has detained another agent of Russian military intelligence (better known as the GRU) in Odesa. He turned out to be a priest from one of the churches in the local diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) who had been... 5 936 28 Previously in trend: spying in favor of Russia Detention of UOC-MP clerics

The SSU has exposed a further four pro-Russian agitators Four pro-Russian agitators exposed: they called for torture of prisoners and for ’Oreshnik’ strike on Kyiv. PHOTOS The Security Service has detained a further four enemy propagandists in various regions of Ukraine. The perpetrators supported Russia’s armed aggression, called for the shelling of Ukrainian cities and the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war. 4 194 25 Previously in trend: Pro-Russian agitators

school on the territory of the monastery Investigation has been launched into facts published by media regarding underground school on territory of monastery in Kyiv, - Office of Prosecutor General. PHOTO Under the procedural guidance of juvenile prosecutors from the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, investigators from the Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in Kyiv and Kyiv Region have launched a pre-trial investigation under Part 1 of Article 436-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine... 5 554 34 Previously in trend: Underground UOC-MP school in Kyiv

Illegal school at UOC MP monastery in Kyiv teaches Russian - probe Underground school at UOC MP site in Kyiv teaches children "Russian world" principles - media. PHOTOS (updated) Since February 2025, an illegal school has been operating at the UOC MP monastery "Holosiivska Pustyn" in Kyiv, where children are taught using Soviet textbooks, shown Russian films and taught Russian. 15 082 150

A priest of the UOC-MP coordinated Russian strikes on the Sumy region Protopriest of UOC-MP adjusted Russian strikes on Sumy region, - SSU. PHOTO The rector of a church of the Sumy Diocese of the UOC-MP, who was an adjuster for the Russian GRU, was detained in Sumy region. 4 344 24 Previously in trend: Detention of adjusters

SSU and National Police expose rector of UOC-MP church who privatised church in Kyiv region UOC-MP cleric exposed for "privatizing" church and property worth over UAH 7 million in Kyiv region – SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service and the National Police exposed a cleric of the UOC-MP on the illegal alienation of a church in the Kyiv region. 5 383 26 Previously in trend: Detention of UOC-MP clerics

SSU detains UOC-MP cleric who agreed to spy for FSB in Donetsk region He spied for FSB on Ukrainian Armed Forces positions in Donetsk region: UOC-MP cleric detained, - SSU. PHOTOS SSU CI detained another FSB agent in Donetsk region. He was a 58-year-old archpriest of the Pokrovsk vicariate of the UOC (MP), who was adjusting Russian strikes against Ukrainian defenders. 2 278 13 Previously in trend: spying in favor of Russia

St. Andrew’s Cathedral of the UOC-MP damaged in Zaporizhzhia as a result of a rocket attack Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia: St. Andrew’s Cathedral of UOC-MP damaged. PHOTOS On Saturday, 18 January, Russian invaders launched rocket attacks on Zaporizhzhia. The attack severely damaged St Andrew's Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). 5 380 29

SSU exposes rector of UOC-MP church in Odesa Praised Putin and heroized Russian occupiers: SSU exposes UOC-MP cleric in Odesa. PHOTO The SBU documented anti-Ukrainian activities by the rector of a church in the Odesa diocese of the UOC (MP). The cleric justified Russia's war against Ukraine and incited religious hatred. 2 552 22

клірик УПЦ МП з Житомирщини UOC-MP cleric in Zhytomyr region served suspicion notice for justifying enemy and imposing pro-Russian views on parishioners - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service has collected evidence of anti-Ukrainian activities of a cleric of the Ovruch-Korosten Diocese of the UOC-MP in Zhytomyr region. 2 489 13

Поліція Черкащини розпочала кримінальне провадження через конфлікт вірян УПЦ МП у Свято-Михайлівському соборі Fight between supporters of OCU and UOC-MP in cathedral in Cherkasy: Criminal proceedings have been initiated - police. PHOTOS Police in Cherkasy region have opened a criminal investigation into hooliganism after a fight broke out between supporters of the OCU and believers of the Russian Orthodox Church near St Michael's Cathedral in Cherkasy. 12 032 94

СБУ повідомила про підозру клірику київського монастиря УПЦ МП He justified Russia’s war against Ukraine: SSU serves notice of suspicion to Archimandrite Volodymyr of UOC-MP monastery in Kyiv. PHOTO (updated) The Security Service documented the information and subversive activities of another representative of the UOC-MP, who acted in favor of Russia. This is the archimandrite of a monastery in Kyiv. 3 013 12

Обшуки у Свято-Введенському монастирі SSU conducts searches in Holy Vvedensky Monastery of UOC MP in Kyiv - sources. PHOTO The SSU continues to cleanse Ukraine of Moscow's agents in rasons. According to our information, since the morning of 18 September, SSU operatives have been conducting searches at the Holy Vvedensky Monastery of the UOC-MP. 4 047 18

СБУ затримала священника УПЦ МП, який готував удар по ешелонах ЗСУ Priest of UOC MP and employee of "Ukrzaliznytsia" were preparing attack on echelons of AFU of Kharkiv region - SSU. VIDEO+PHOTOS Two Russian military intelligence agents who were preparing to fire at Ukrainian Armed Forces trains were detained. The detainees include a Russian citizen and a priest of the UOC-MP. 8 730 40 Previously in trend: War

лука SSU serves notice of suspicion to Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol of UOC-MP. PHOTOS Metropolitan Luke (Andriy Kovalenko in peace) of the UOC-MP, who provoked religious hatred, was served with a notice of suspicion. 2 738 8

СБУ викрила на Хмельниччині настоятеля храму УПЦ МП SSU exposes rector of UOC-MP church in Khmelnytskyi region who praised Putin to parishioners. PHOTO The Security Service documented subversive activities by the rector of the church of the Shepetivka Diocese of the UOC (MP) in the Khmelnytskyi region. The cleric supported the aggressive war against Ukraine and incited religious hatred. 3 997 21

сбу SSU exposes FSB agents who tried to destabilise situation in Ukraine under guise of UOC-MP. VIDEO&PHOTOS The SSU exposed an agent group of the Russian Federal Security Service that was "dispersing" pro-Kremlin narratives and inciting religious hatred in Ukraine. 8 433 38 Previously in trend: War

сбу,упц,мп Suspicion of cleric of UOC-MP in Cherkasy region, who heroized Ruscists, was reported - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service documented the subversive activities of the Metropolitan Archpriest of the Cherkasy Diocese of the UOC (MP), who justified Russia’s armed aggression. 2 421 11

сбу UOC (MP) Metropolitan Povorozniuk, who blessed "accession" of Luhansk to Russian Federation, was informed of suspicion - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service has collected evidence against the sanctioned Metropolitan of the Luhansk Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), Vasyl Povorozniuk, who is cooperating with the Russian invaders in the temporarily occupied city. 3 766 15

сбу Ex-servant of UOC-MP, who justified occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, is served suspicion notice - SSU. PHOTOS The former novice of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra conducted information and subversive activities in favour of the Russian Federation. 2 377 8 Previously in trend: War

упц,рпц,мп Russian Orthodox Church released "Patriarchal Calendar" with UOC-MP bishops. PHOTO The Russian Orthodox Church released the Patriarchal Calendar, which includes all the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church ("Moscow Patriarchate"). 10 677 45

сбу Church chorister of UOC MP was detained, who pointed enemy rockets at positions of AFU near Zaporizhzhia, - SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine detained another supporter of racism, who was adjusting Russian air attacks on Zaporizhzhia and expected the full occupation of the region. According to the investigation, the detainee was a church chorister and the wife of the rector of a local UOC-MP church. 7 648 23

сбу SSU conducts searches in the Pochaiv Lavra: Clergymen of the UOC-MP questioned the existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state apart from the Russian Federation. PHOTOS The Security Service is conducting investigative actions on the territory of the Pochaiv Dormition Monastery of the UOC (MP) on the fact that the monastery’s leadership is involved in inciting national hatred and enmity. 8 437 36

укус UOC MP priest bit military man in center of Chernihiv. PHOTOS A UOC MP priest who came to pick up things from the closed-down Transfiguration Cathedral in the center of Chernihiv got into a fight and bit a military man guarding the church. 12 336 73

сбу SSU checks two churches of UOC-MP in Zakarpattia, where "Russian world" was propagated - journalist Hlahola. PHOTO SSU inspects two UOC-MP temples in Zakarpattia, which propagated "Russian peace". 3 182 12

церква,хмельницький Hundreds of people came to UOC-MP church in Khmelnytskyi, where a soldier was beaten. PHOTOS In city of Khmelnytsky, about 500 people gathered for a demonstration in front of a temple of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate after a military officer was beaten there. Representatives of local regional administration asked to reduce tension level and let relevant services resolve this conflict. 29 091 119

лавра,упц UOC MP held last service in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. PHOTOS On Sunday, March 26, the UOC (Moscow Patriarchate) held a service in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a few days before the monks of the UOC MP are to leave all premises of the shrine. 24 634 120

одеса,обстріл Odesa was attacked by X-59 missiles - 2 were shot down by air defense, one hit UOC-MP building, four people were injured - UC "South". PHOTOS At least three missiles were fired at Odesa by Russian occupants this evening. Some of them were shot down by air defense forces. 19 429 106 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

сбу,вінниця Metropolitan of Vinnytsia Diocese of UOC (MP) will stand trial for justifying Russian armed aggression, - SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service collected indisputable evidence of the guilt of the head of the diocese of the UOC (MP) in the Vinnytsia region, who publicly justified Russian armed aggression against Ukraine. 7 789 23 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

упц Searches in dioceses of UOC MP in 4 regions: propaganda leaflets of Medvedchuk association, Russian "tricolors", and former occupiers’ warehouses were discovered, - SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service completed counterintelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in the Kherson, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Rivne regions. 15 154 42

сбу,львів SSU conducts search in cathedral of UOC MP in Lviv. PHOTOS The SSU conducts searches in the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious of the UOC in Lviv. 5 679 29 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

упц,мп SSU finds libraries with pro-Kremlin literature, cash and dry rations of Russian army in Kharkiv diocese of UOC-MP. PHOTOS Security Service has completed counterintelligence (security) measures at UOC (MP) facilities in Kharkiv region. 10 823 43 Previously in trend: War

упц,мп SSU conducts counterintelligence measures at facilities of UOC MP in Kharkiv region. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine conduct counter-intelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in the Kharkiv region. 4 266 24 Previously in trend: War

упц,житомирщина SSU conducts security measures in two monasteries and hermitages of UOC MP in Zhytomyr region. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine conduct counter-intelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC MP in Zhytomyr region. 3 436 9 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

сбу SSU conducts security measures at facilities of UOC MP in three regions. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine conducts counter-intelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in the Cherkasy, Volyn, and Kherson regions. 5 796 17

сбу SSU conducts security measures at facilities of UOC MP in Poltava region. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine conduct counter-intelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC MP in the Poltava region. 4 673 13

сбу,упц,мп SSU conducts security measures at UOC (MP) facilities in 3 regions of Ukraine. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine are conducting counterintelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in Zhytomyr, Rivne and Transcarpathian regions. 8 160 40 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

сбу Priest of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, at whose service pro-Russian songs were sung, was informed of suspicion, - SSU. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine reported suspicion to the organizers of the service, during which "Russian peace" was praised in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra 7 112 43 Previously in trend: War

сбу SSU conducts security measures in Mukachevo diocese of UOC MP. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine conducts counter-intelligence (security) measures on the territory of one of the monasteries of the Mukachevo Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) in Transcarpathia. 6 376 23 Previously in trend: War

сбу SSU found propaganda materials denying existence of Ukraine in facilities of UOC MP in Ternopil region and Prykarpattia. PHOTOS Employees of the SSU and the National Police found a large number of anti-Ukrainian materials during security measures on the territory of the Pochaiv Theological Seminary and the Ivano-Frankivsk Eparchy of the UOC (MP). 10 619 56 Previously in trend: War

упц SSU caught secretary of Chernivtsi diocese of UOC MP in bed with guy from local choir, - media. PHOTOS During the search of the premises of the UOC MP in Bukovyna, the SSU jumped in at the moment of physical intimacy between Archimandrite Nikita and a boy who sings in the local choir. 80 667 319

сбу SSU conducted searches in premises of UOC MP in Bukovyna: they found manuals from Moscow, Russian citizenship and identity cards of occupiers. PHOTOS The SSU conducted counter-intelligence measures on the territory of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese of the UOC (MP). Law enforcement officers found documents confirming the presence of Russian citizenship in the leadership of diocesan structures. 10 522 53

упц,пцу Representatives of clergy of OCU and UOC met to overcome division On July 5, representatives of the clergy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held a meeting on the territory of Sophia of Kyiv. 18 200 45

Christianization of Kievan Rus-Ukraine anniversary: Moscow Patriarchate Orthodox Church-goers marched towards Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra after public prayer. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Christianization of Kievan Rus-Ukraine anniversary: Moscow Patriarchate Orthodox Church-goers marched towards Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra after public prayer. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Security measures were strengthened in downtown Kyiv over celebration of the anniversary of the Christianization of Kievan Rus-Ukraine and the procession of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate dedicated to it. The Moscow Patriarchate church-goers from all around Ukraine gathered in the Saint Volodymyr Hill Park to take part in the solemn church service held by the Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) Onufry. 67 628 796

Poroshenko: Autocephaly is one of pillars of Ukrainian state, nation, national security, whole world geopolitics. PHOTOS Poroshenko: Autocephaly is one of pillars of Ukrainian state, nation, national security, whole world geopolitics. PHOTOS President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko believes autocephaly is not only an issue of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians but an issue of Ukrainian independence. 83 632 297 Previously in trend: Creation of local church

Poroshenko meets with primates of Ukraine Poroshenko meets with primates of Ukraine's orthodox churches to discuss receiving Tomos of Autocephaly. PHOTOS President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met with the Primates of the Orthodox Churches of Ukraine and formally accepted the Appeal on granting the Tomos of Autocephaly to the Ukrainian church signed by all the hierarchs who supported this decision to convey it to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. 66 220 229 Previously in trend: Creation of local church

крестный ход Several thousand people gather at St. Volodymyr Hill in Kyiv, including Opposition Bloc MPs Novinskyi and Shufrych. PHOTOS Several thousand people-members of the religious procession organized by Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate, and clergy gathered at St. Volodymyr Hill in Kyiv at noon. MPs from Opposition Bloc Nestor Shufrych and Vadym Novinskyi also arrived. 108 329 276

киев крестный ход Religious procession breaks through police cordon, heads for Kyiv. PHOTOS+VIDEO The religious procession that includes thousands of worshipers from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate managed to get through the police cordon in the village of Dmytrivka in order to proceed further along the Kyiv-Zhytomyr highway. 110 613 298 Previously in trend: Police workdays

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