Police in frontline Yurkivka help evacuate icons from damaged UOC church

Fr. Ioann Bysmak during the evacuation of the church relics in Yurkovka. Photo: National Police

On February 9, 2026, police helped remove church property from the damaged Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos (UOC) in the village of Yurkovka, Orikhiv District, Zaporizhzhia Region. The assistance was requested by the rector, Archpriest Ioan Bysmak.

A chaplain patrol unit was involved in the evacuation, after which they traveled to the settlement together. The sacred items and property were carefully loaded and transported out. The transfer proceeded without complications, as no aerial threats were recorded at that time.

“We are evacuating the sacred items to a safer place. We are grateful to everyone who is taking part – the police, volunteers, and all those who are helping. There is a lot here that is needed,” the rector said.

Footage released by the police shows the church has already sustained significant damage: the roof has been pierced, and the walls and windows were damaged by shrapnel.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that shelling also damaged a church in Malokaterynivka, Zaporizhzhia Region.

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