UOC priest on trial for saying Russians liberated the world from Nazism

Photo: Court hearing in the case of the UOC priest. Source: Suspilne Cherkasy

On May 30, 2025, the Smila District Court in the Cherkasy Region began hearings in the case against the rector of the Protection of the Mother of God Church (UOC) in the village of Melnykivka. The clergyman is charged with justifying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and glorifying its perpetrators, according to Suspilne Cherkasy.

The indictment is based on private messages found on the defendant's phone. Prosecutor Kateryna Kostenko stated that the priest had sent and received messages in messaging apps that justified Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.

The primary piece of evidence cited by the prosecution was a quote from the correspondence, which Prosecutor Kostenko read aloud in court:

“The Russian soldier liberated the world from fascism, Nazism, and other filth. I am infinitely grateful to God that I am Russian.”

No additional examples of criminal activity were provided by the prosecutor.

According to her, the message constitutes justification of Russian aggression against Ukraine, which began in 2014, and glorification of individuals involved in this aggression. This forms the basis for charges under Part 2 of Article 436-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The defendant partially admitted guilt. Following the reading of the charges, the prosecutor filed a motion to impose a pretrial restraint – 24-hour house arrest.

“Due to the seriousness of the charges, the ongoing state of martial law, and the risk of the accused influencing witnesses, I consider it justified to impose round-the-clock house arrest,” Prosecutor Kostenko stated.

The priest’s lawyer requested that the measure be eased to nighttime house arrest, arguing that full-time house arrest prevents the clergyman from performing his religious duties. However, the court upheld the prosecution’s motion.

“The prosecutor’s motion for pretrial restraint in the form of 24-hour house arrest with electronic monitoring until July 29, 2025, inclusive, is granted,” the court ruling stated.

The priest faces up to eight years in prison. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 23.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that according to Viktor Yelenskyi, head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), Ukraine is a “stronghold of religious freedom.”

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