Azov chief calls for "Moscow priests" to be added to prisoner exchange pool

Prokopenko receiving an award from Zelensky. Photo: Azov’s Telegram channel

Denys Prokopenko, commander of the Azov Brigade (callsign “Redis”), called on Ukrainian authorities via his Facebook page to include priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in prisoner exchanges with Russia.

Prokopenko expressed outrage that none of the captured Azov fighters were returned to Ukraine during the latest prisoner swaps with the Russian Federation. He demanded that officials “find ways” to make the Russian side more interested in including Azov members in future exchanges.

“Ukraine is packed to the brim with Russian agents – all the intelligence services are well aware of this; they just need to be given the order.

I believe that priests of the Moscow Patriarchate, who openly work for Russian intelligence services, would interest the Russians more than soldiers, whom the Russian Federation is throwing at Ukraine in droves,” Prokopenko stated.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that MP Valerii Zub said he was unaware of any evidence of Russian influence over the UOC.

Read also

U.S. House of Representatives passes ban on sex-change surgeries for minors

The lower house of Congress supported an initiative limiting medical interventions that could have irreversible consequences for the health of minors.

Armenian Church to appeal to international bodies over government pressure

The decision was made by the Supreme Spiritual Council in Etchmiadzin against the backdrop of criminal cases, pressure on the clergy, and the state's attempts to interfere in church life.

Pashinyan's supporters attempt to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia

The confrontation around the Armenian Apostolic Church intensified after rebellious hierarchs called for the Catholicos's resignation and attempted to exert forceful pressure in Etchmiadzin.

Persecuted community of Maliatyntsi celebrates first patronal feast after seizure

In Bukovyna, the faithful of the St. Nicholas community in the village of Maliatyntsi celebrated the Feast Day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia for the first time after the church seizure.

European authorities downplay scale of Christian persecution, report says

Human rights defenders reported an increase in attacks on believers in the EU and pointed out that official statistics do not reflect the real level of anti-Christian hostility.

Mukachevo Eparchy bishops congratulate orphaned children on St Nicholas Day

Metropolitan Theodore and Bishop Hilarion visited the “New Family” children’s shelter in Uzhhorod.