Mobilized UOC priest killed at the front

Father Mykola with Matushka. Photo: UOJ

In early September 2025, a mobilized priest of the Shepetivka Eparchy, Archpriest Mykola Khlan, was killed at the front, report the UOJ sources. Fr. Mykola was the rector of the Transfiguration community in the village of Minkivtsi, Slavuta district, Khmelnytskyi region.

According to the UOJ, the priest was mobilized quite not long ago. He was sent to the front line, where he was almost immediately killed.

Fr. Mykola was mobilized despite being in the status of a defendant. In March 2025, he was sentenced to 4 years in prison for "inciting religious hatred" (criticism of the OCU) and "justifying Russian aggression". The defense filed an appeal against the court's verdict, which had not yet come into force pending review.

The appellate court hearing was scheduled for October 14. Until then, Fr. Nikolai remained free on bail of 58,400 UAH. According to the conditions of the first-instance verdict, he was required to appear in court upon first request, not leave his place of residence, and wear an electronic bracelet.

According to the law, individuals involved in a judicial process cannot be mobilized. 

Earlier, the UOJ reported that in the Rivne region, UOC Bishop Seraphim was mobilized.

Read also