OCU raiders attempt to seize UOC church in Malyi Kuchuriv, Bukovyna

OCU raiders on the grounds of the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Malyi Kuchuriv, Chernivtsi Region. Photo: screenshot from a video posted by the Dozor Telegram channel

On January 5, 2024, OCU raiders armed with crowbars and angle grinders attempted to seize the St. Nicholas Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Malyi Kuchuriv, Chernivtsi Region. Footage of the attempted takeover was published by the Dozor Telegram channel.

Journalists reported that the balaclava-clad raiders had already forced open the gates of the church fence with a crowbar and cordoned off the church grounds.

The footage shows an unidentified man breaking down the doors of the church and letting several dozen people inside.

It is also known that on December 25, 2023, supporters of the OCU collected money from local residents to pay for the services of the break-in crew.

A meeting on the “transfer” of the church’s religious community was held by activists back on July 10, 2023.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Ladyzhyn, raiders wearing military style uniforms attempted to seize the Kazan Church of the UOC.

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