OCU takes over UOC church in the village of Checheliivka

The OCU seized a UOC church in the village of Checheliivka in the Kirovohrad region. Photo: a video screenshot from the Dozor TG channel

On December 23, 2025, a group of raiders from the OCU seized the Intercession Church of the Oleksandriia Eparchy of the UOC in the village of Checheliivka, reports the Telegram channel "Dozor".

According to the channel, representatives of the OCU announced in advance their intention to enter the church, despite the fact that it was sealed until a court decision.

Parishioners prayed at the walls of their sealed shrine from the morning. Believers could not enter their church for three years, as the church was closed under preliminary agreements.

Police officers were present on the territory. The raiders cut the locks on the doors, after which the police formed a corridor for them.

OCU cleric Mark Levkiv announced the so-called inventory of property. All this time, he, along with other members of Dumenko's structure, insulted Orthodox Christians and incited hatred.

According to eyewitnesses, one of the members of the OCU group attacked the dean of the Petrove district, Archpriest Dmytro Horodetsky.

As reported by the UOJ, despite ongoing court cases over the church, people in camouflage and balaclavas, with the support of the police and the SBU, had already broken into the Intercession Church of the UOC earlier, on November 11, 2023.

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