SBU accuses Russia of instigating seizures of churches in Ukraine

Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Viktor Kononenko

Deputy Head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Viktor Kononenko

Such actions will make it possible to further incite violent confrontations and mass protests with the participation of believers. This opinion was expressed by the deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine Viktor Kononenko at a briefing on October 3 in Kiev, reports Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, Russia’s plan is aimed at “creating the so-called controlled chaos. As the main directions today, we see incitement of interfaith enmity as a result of the possibility of Ukraine’s receiving the Tomos, as well as the organization of events of active influence in order to induce the Ukrainian leadership to concessions to the aggressor state and initiate peaceful negotiations on favourable terms.” 

In this case, the SBU is expecting "instigating the seizures of religious buildings of one of the confessions, allegedly by representatives of right-wing nationalist organizations, which will allow them to further inspire power confrontations and mass protests with the participation of believers".

As the UOJ reported, earlier the deputy head of the Security Service of Ukraine Viktor Kononenko stated that interfaith conflicts and the seizures of churches in Ukraine were artificially created.

Activist targeting UOC lawyers wears clothing with Nazi symbols

Davyd Pshenychnyi, a radical who opposes the UOC, was photographed wearing clothing by Svastone, a brand that describes itself as pagan.

TRC mobilizes 24-year-old UOC hieromonk on his way to study in Athens

Hieromonk Viktor (Denysov), a student at a university in Athens, said he was taken off his flight and brought to a TRC and is now serving with the 8th Special Operations Regiment.

Shevchuk thanks Catholic cardinal for visit to Russia

The UGCC head called Catholic Cardinal Matteo Zuppi’s visit to Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia an extremely important step.

‘Won’t find a girl better than you’: UGCC clergy dance on church porch

In Ternopil, UGCC clergy danced to a wedding song on the steps of a church and tossed candy into the crowd.

Metropolitan Onuphry consecrates Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian in Kyiv

On the feast day of the “She Who Is Quick to Hear” Icon of the Mother of God, the UOC Primate consecrated a Kyiv church dedicated to the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian.

‘This is not how freedom is done’: Met. Theodosiy on secret Phanar report

The Cherkasy hierarch said the Constantinople cleric’s report on the 2018 “council” shows that the fate of “autocephaly” was determined not by the canons but by the authorities and security services.