SBU confirms arrest of its officer accused of repressions against UOC

Road accident in Vasylkiv. Source: Screenshot from Dubinsky’s video

Road accident in Vasylkiv. Source: Screenshot from Dubinsky’s video

SBU officials acknowledged that on January 23, a road accident occurred in the city of Vasylkiv, Kyiv region, involving an officer from the Central Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine, as reported by TSN.ua.

The accident resulted in injuries to a minor pedestrian, who was promptly transported to the National Specialized Children’s Hospital “Okhmatdyt”. The child received the necessary medical care, and their condition is currently described as stable. A criminal case regarding the accident has been opened, and the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) and National Police are conducting an inquiry. The SBU officer was taken into custody.

The SBU condemned the behavior of its employee and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement for an impartial investigation.

The injured child, named Matvii, was diagnosed with fractures in both legs, a traumatic brain injury, and lung contusions.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to MP Oleksandr Dubinsky, the arrested officer is identified as Artur Herchak. Dubinsky claims that Herchak’s blood alcohol level was found to be 1.44‰, exceeding the legal limit of 0.3‰.

The MP also stated that Artur Herchak is an employee of the SBU department responsible for actions against the UOC.

As previously reported by the UOJ, on June 17, 2024, UOJ lawyers successfully obtained the dismissal of the lead investigator and senior prosecutor who were handling the case against Orthodox journalists accused of treason by the SBU.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry plans advocacy visits abroad for UCCRO

Members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations have planned advocacy visits abroad following a meeting with Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister.

UOC priest detained by recruitment officers in Kyiv sent to training ground

UOC priest Maksym Kostiuchenko, who was detained on his way to a church service in Kyiv, has been sent to a military training ground in Chernihiv Region.

25 tons of humanitarian aid from Volyn reach Sviatohirsk Lavra

Around 25 tons of food donated by believers of the UOC Volyn Eparchy arrived at Sviatohirsk Lavra on October 22.

UOC West European Vicariate holds children's camp in Germany

A children’s camp was held in the UOC’s Western Deanery in Germany from October 19 to 23.

Vinnytsia Metropolitan consecrates UOC Intercession church in Luka-Barska

Metropolitan Varsonofy consecrated the Church of the Intercession in Luka Barska, Vinnytsia Region, and celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the new church.

“Joy of All Who Sorrow” lower сhurch сonsecrated in Korosten

Metropolitan Nikodim of Zhytomyr and Novohrad-Volynskyi presided over the consecration of the church and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Church in Korosten.