On the “Instructions from Russian Intelligence” to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

"Curators" of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Photo: HUR

On April 29, the website of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) published a claim that the Russian Orthodox Church had appointed “new curators for Ukraine” – allegedly four high-ranking hierarchs. According to GUR, their task is to relay “instructions from Russian intelligence services” to “organizations whose leadership is located in Russia” – in other words, the UOC – and to “oversee provocations carried out in the Kremlin’s interests.”

Just a few simple questions:

If these are “new curators,” does that mean there were old ones? Why, then, have we never seen any loud revelations from GUR, the SBU, or other security agencies naming names, addresses, or passwords? Or were there no “Kremlin-backed provocations” before, and only now they’re about to start? That doesn’t quite add up. Just recently, President Zelensky told American journalist Ben Shapiro that the UOC is already under the control of Russian intelligence. And we certainly can’t allow the outrageous thought that the President just made that up on the spot – can we?

Why would Russian intelligence choose the upper echelon of the Russian Orthodox Church to transmit “instructions”? When organizing covert operations, isn’t it standard to use the most discreet and untraceable individuals possible? And if such provocations really were being planned, what would be the point of announcing it publicly? After all, anyone involved would now surely be too scared to go through with anything. Isn’t that – sabotage?

Just a week ago, the SBU issued charges against 14 ROC hierarchs for allegedly “facilitating the seizure of Ukrainian churches in temporarily occupied territories.” But now, according to the GUR, the ROC is also giving the UOC “instructions” for provocations. So – on one hand, the ROC is attacking the UOC and stealing its churches, and on the other, it’s collaborating with it to conduct Russian operations?

What does all this look like when put together? Is there, perhaps, a touch of schizophrenia in the narrative? If you take all of this at face value – then yes, absolutely.

But the truth is much simpler – and far more depressing. These “church-related” statements from GUR and the SBU are just part of a coordinated show – more precisely, a smear campaign. The goal is to generate the most negative public perception possible of the UOC, so that no one will feel sorry for it when the crackdown comes. Clearly, the authorities are preparing to move into the active phase of implementing the law banning the UOC.

From now on, any resistance from the faithful to church seizures will be framed as “provocations carried out in the interests of the Kremlin.”

Brilliant, really.
You can tell the professionals are at work.

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