In Verkhni Stanivtsi, a group of bandits fail to seize UOC church

The moment when OCU intruders exited the St Nicholas Church. Photo: UOJ

During the night of 8 to 9 April, a group of intruders broke down the doors of the St Nicholas Church of the UOC in the Bukovynian village of Verkhni Stanivtsi, entered the building, and barricaded themselves inside. Parishioners provided the UOJ with video footage from the scene.

The bandits used force against women who attempted to stop them. One young woman had her face bloodied by a blow from a stick. Eyewitnesses testified that the group of hired men was led by a "priest" of the OCU, Roman Hryshchuk. Although he tried to conceal his face beneath a hood, the parishioners of the St Nicholas Church recognised him.

Later, after the female parishioners informed the community men, the intruders were forced to leave the church. Abandoning their angle grinders, drills, and sticks, the hired attackers fled.

The police did not intervene in the situation.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that a seizure of the Intercession Church in Hlyboka was being prepared.

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