UOC priests used in exchange for Ukrainian intelligence agents – media
An SBU officer arrives at a church for a search. Photo: SBU
Ukraine is using arrested priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) for exchanges involving prisoners of war and intelligence operatives, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing sources in law enforcement.
“There is no fixed practice that UOC priests can be exchanged for a particular category of prisoners or civilian hostages. The cases are different, and Russia’s level of interest in them varies,” explained a source from the Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
According to another security source, “usually for one UOC priest, we get back more than a dozen prisoners.”
“Sometimes, thanks to such exchanges, it is possible to return not only military and civilian hostages, but also top agents of the Ukrainian special services,” added another source on condition of anonymity.
At the same time, law enforcement officials admit that Russia does not show much interest in priests. “Representatives of the UOC far more often express the desire to be transferred to Russia than the aggressor state expresses the desire to take them back,” the source noted.
Nevertheless, the SBU continues to actively arrest clergymen.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the SBU had arrested a UOC priest in the Sumy region.
Read also
UOC priest describes church seizure in Checheliivka
The dean of the Oleksandriia Eparchy said that representatives of the OCU forcibly opened a church where UOC parishioners had not been allowed to pray for three years.
Chernihiv Jews equate vandalism against menorah to arson of TRC
The Jews of Chernihiv are convinced that the vandals who toppled the menorah acted on Russia’s orders.
Mukachevo Metropolitan hands over aid to AFU and children's boarding home
With the blessing of Metropolitan Theodore, charitable events were held in the eparchy.
OCU takes over UOC church in the village of Checheliivka
Raiders from the OCU, after cutting the locks, broke into the Intercession Church, which was sealed until the court's ruling.
UOC publishes new liturgical texts approved by Synod
The Synodal Liturgical Commission presented prayers and services approved by the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Khmelnytskyi hierarch offers condolences to family of man killed in shelling
Metropolitan Victor addressed the faithful following the shelling of Khmelnytskyi by Russian forces.