SBU charges another ROC priest with advancing Russian influence in Ukraine
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Ukraine’s SBU security service has charged
a high-ranking Russian
Orthodox Church (ROC) priest in Ukraine with justifying Russia’s war
against Ukraine and inciting religious hatred, SBU announced via Telegram on
April 12.
According to NV’s sources, the cleric in question is Archpriest Mykola Danylevych, who also serves as the deputy head of the ROC’s Ukrainian Synodal Department for External Church Relations.
The SBU statement mentioned that, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the archpriest called for cooperation with the invading troops and to jointly "pray for their health and wellbeing."
According to the investigation, the cleric supervised a network of ROC dioceses abroad. Under the guise of "spiritual care for Ukrainian expatriates," these dioceses are spreading Russian propaganda narratives.
During searches at Danylevych’s residence, documents found showed that he studied at the Russian Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Academy and has a Russian social security certificate, suggesting that the archpriest may hold Russian citizenship.
He could face up to five years in prison with confiscation of property. Terms of his pre-trial detention are currently being determined.
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