Shevchuk discusses fight against “Russian influence” via Church with Azov

Sviatoslav Shevchuk with Azov leadership and chaplain. Photo: UGCC press service

On May 7, 2026, a meeting took place at the UGCC Patriarchal Center in Kyiv between the head of the Uniates, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Azov Corps deputy commander Colonel Sviatoslav Palamar, and the unit’s military chaplaincy chief, Fr. Mykola Vizer. This was reported by the UGCC press service.

The participants decided that in wartime, the Church should play an active role in “countering Russian influence,” which, in their view, is carried out through religious structures.

Particular attention was given to supporting Ukrainian prisoners of war and their families. Shevchuk backed the Azov representatives’ initiative to hold a churchwide prayer on May 17 in all UGCC churches for Ukraine’s captive defenders.

The head of the Uniates stressed the need to constantly draw public attention to the fate of servicemen held in captivity.

Notably, the Azov representatives also met with Epifaniy Dumenko, who blessed them to hold a “special prayer” within the walls of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on May 17.

At the same time, the leaders of both confessions ignore the fact that Azov regularly practices neo-pagan “mysteries” commemorating the fallen in “Valhalla.”

As in the case of the Uniates, the head of the OCU used the meeting with the military to promote talking points about the need to fight “Russian influence,” which both structures traditionally understand as the struggle against the UOC.

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