OCU “hierarch” selling fake ID documents sent to pre-trial detention center
Kyrylo Mykhayliuk (right) with a friend. Photo: Mykhayliuk's Facebook
On February 19, 2026, the Ivano-Frankivsk City Court chose a preventive measure for "bishop" of the Uzhhorod-Khust Eparchy of the OCU Kyrylo Mykhailiuk, suspected of obstructing mobilization. He was taken into custody for 60 days with the possibility of posting bail. This is reported by local publication "Blitz-Info" citing the court ruling.
According to the investigation materials, the SBU petitioned for the suspect to be held in custody. The court partially granted this petition, setting the period of detention until April 17, 2026, with the alternative of posting bail in the amount of 232,960 hryvnias. After the decision was announced, Mykhailiuk was taken into custody in the courtroom and delivered to penitentiary institution No. 12 in Ivano-Frankivsk.
According to law enforcement data, the defendant organized a scheme for issuing fictitious documents about ordination to the rank of deacon to military-liable men. For a monetary reward ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 US dollars, ‘certificates’ were issued in this way, which made it possible to obtain a deferment from military conscription. The investigation claims that about 40 people received such documents, which led to distortion of military registration data.
In case of posting bail, the suspect will be obliged to surrender his passports, not leave the boundaries of the Zakarpattia Region, and refrain from communicating with witnesses in the case.
Earlier, in November 2025, the "Synod" of the OCU suspended Kyrylo Mykhailiuk from heading the eparchy over the published materials of the criminal proceedings and court decisions concerning the issuance of false certificates.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the OCU banned a "priest" for attempting to transfer to another eparchy.
Read also
UOC Primate consecrates Transfiguration Cathedral at Pochaiv Lavra
On the feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry consecrated the Transfiguration Cathedral and presented an award to the abbot of the Pochaiv Lavra.
Online poll asks Ukrainians about their church affiliation
Among Threads users who responded to a question about which church they attend, nearly five times as many identified with the UOC as with the OCU.
Stryi authorities plan to restore 19th-century synagogue
Stryi authorities plan to restore the abandoned synagogue using funds raised from project partners.
Lviv City Council loses case seeking demolition of OCU chapel
Courts at all levels have rejected Lviv officials’ demands to demolish an OCU chapel.
German historian points to media silence over Sviatohirsk monk’s murder
German historian and publicist Herbert Ammon criticized the “black-and-white” approach of European media, pointing to their failure to cover the murder of monk Varsonofy.
Orthodox Church celebrates Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos
The faithful celebrate the first of the Twelve Great Feasts of the Church year, marking the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.