Mayor of Irpin, who "transferred" churches to OCU, taken into custody
Markushyn in the courthouse. Photo: Suspilne
On January 23, 2025, the Pechersk Court ordered the mayor of Irpin, Oleksandr Markushyn, to be held in a pre-trial detention center until March 22. According to Suspilne, Markushyn was charged by the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) with illegal border crossing in August 2022.
The court ruled for Markushyn's detention until March 22, 2025, with the option to post bail of 30 million UAH. He was also suspended from his duties until that date.
Additionally, in 2024, Markushyn was implicated in corruption scandals. City council deputies accused him of forging city council decisions, embezzling the local budget through the registration of "ghost employees", and taking kickbacks from executive committee staff salaries.
In the courtroom, a group of people with posters accused Markushyn of looting.
It should be noted that, under Markushyn's direct leadership and with the use of illegal gatherings involving outsiders, all UOC churches in Irpin were transferred to the OCU, including those that were privately owned. There are no Orthodox churches left in the city.
Under his leadership, the Irpin City Council also appealed to President Zelenskyy to ban the UOC.
Earlier, UOJ reported that the Holy Trinity Church, transferred to the OCU in Irpin, was later closed.
Read also
Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy marks 30 years since restoration
The Pantanassa Icon and relics of Prince Volodymyr have arrived in Kovel and will visit churches across the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy to mark the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the episcopal see.
Bukovyna faithful bring humanitarian aid to Kherson region residents
The UOC’s Chernivtsi Eparchy delivered food to Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson.
Ukraine must have its own faith: Poroshenko's party lays out peace terms
Poroshenko’s party European Solidarity described church policy as a matter of national sovereignty and said there can be no compromises in this area.
432 UOC churches damaged in Ukraine during war, report says
According to the Religion on Fire project, 807 religious buildings in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.
DESS official gives number of clergy exempt from mobilization in Ukraine
A DESS representative said the actual number of clergy exempt from mobilization is significantly lower than the number of religious organizations designated as critical.
Cabinet keeps gas prices unchanged for religious organizations
The Cabinet has fixed gas prices for religious organizations through the end of the 2026–2027 heating season.