DESS to begin checking Kyiv Metropolis of UOC for ties with RF on May 20

Head of DESS Viktor Yelensky. Photo: ukrinform

On May 17, 2025, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) reported on its Facebook page the start of inspections regarding the presence of signs of affiliation of the Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) with a foreign religious organization whose activities are banned in Ukraine. The State Service stated that the investigation will begin on May 20.

The basis for conducting such inspections is the approved resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 543 dated May 9, 2025.

Paragraph 8 of this resolution describes the procedure for conducting an investigation regarding the presence of signs of affiliation of a religious organization with a foreign religious organization whose activities are banned in Ukraine.

As reported by the UOJ, according to resolution No. 543, the State Service is empowered to conduct investigations of religious organizations both on its own initiative and upon requests from government authorities, local self-government, citizen associations, and other individuals.

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