SBU classifies information on possible exchange of UOC hierarchs to Russia

SBU. Photo: DW

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) refused to provide journalists with any information about the possible exchange of UOC hierarchs, against whom criminal cases have been opened, to Russia, reported the Glavcom publication, which had sent the corresponding request.

"The requested information is sensitive and its dissemination could harm the process of releasing Ukrainian defenders and illegally detained civilians, as well as the released individuals themselves," said Andriy Pasternak, head of the Joint Center, in response to the journalists' inquiry.

The publication reports that their staff was interested in whether the Russian Federation showed interest in exchanging Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Arseniy, the abbot of the Holy Dormition Sviatohirsk Lavra, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol, and Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv of the UOC.

As reported by the UOJ, earlier, MP Artem Dmytruk was outraged that a UOC hierarch was being considered for exchange as a prisoner of war. "Just think about it! For them, a Ukrainian citizen is a 'prisoner of war enemy.'"

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