Bondarenko: Pogroms in UOJ prove decimation of UOC as the government's goal

Ukrainian political analyst and historian Kostiantyn Bondarenko. Photo: file.liga.net

Political analyst and historian Kostiantyn Bondarenko, when asked "What is the likelihood of a complete ban on the UOC?" stated that the pogroms and arrests in the Union of Orthodox Journalists show that the authorities are inclined towards fairly radical actions. He said this on the air of Alexander Shelest's channel.

"Now on the agenda (in the Verkhovna Rada – Ed.) there is more of a question about the ban on the UOC than the question of voting on the mobilization law in the second reading," he noted.

In his Telegram channel, Bondarenko commented further on the situation surrounding the detention of UOJ journalists:

"Yermak and his comrades decided to show the deputies that they are not going to bargain or give up and conducted a demonstrative pogrom among the 'Union of Orthodox Journalists' to communicate as follows: this is how we will deal with everyone who tries to interfere with the authorities in cleaning up the Church -– regardless of the status of a deputy or journalist identification. Yesterday's searches and detentions are a signal to the deputies: 'Are you still persistent? Then we are coming to you!'," the political expert wrote.

As reported by the UOJ, on March 12, 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted mass searches in the workplaces and residential premises of Ukrainian journalists and human rights activists. The searches affected employees of the online publications "Union of Orthodox Journalists" and "First Cossack", the Public Union "Myriany", and the human rights initiative Center for Legal Protection. Journalists, including former employees, human rights activists, and administrative staff, were charged with various crimes, including those punishable by life imprisonment, in particular state treason and the creation of an organized criminal group.

Read also