Military Recruitment Office releases UOC priest detained in Kremenets

Faithful of the Holy Trinity Parish (UOC), village of Druzhba, outside the Kremenets TCC. Photo: Rivne Eparchy

Fr. Vladyslav Batiuk, rector of the Holy Trinity parish in the village of Druzhba of the Rivne Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), who had been unlawfully detained by the Kremenets Military Recruitment Office (TCC), has been released. This was reported on the Telegram channel of the Rivne Eparchy on May 23, 2025.

“His release became possible thanks to numerous calls to the hotline, public attention, and complaints from concerned individuals. The voice of the community was heard. After several hours of illegal detention, Fr. Vladyslav is now free,” the statement reads.

The eparchy thanked everyone for their prayers and support.

Earlier, parishioners of Fr. Vladyslav had gathered outside the Kremenets TCC demanding the release of their pastor.

As reported by the UOJ, the priest was detained on May 22 in Pochaiv while returning from a church service and was taken to the Kremenets TCC without explanation. Fr. Vladyslav is a refugee from an occupied territory and has been living in the Rivne region for a long time.

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