SBU detains UOC priest in Odesa
The SBU detained a UOC priest. Photo: SBU Facebook page
On May 27, 2026, the Security Service of Ukraine detained a priest of one of the churches of the UOC’s Odesa Eparchy, the SBU reported on its Facebook page. The agency claimed that the priest was an agent of Russian military intelligence.
The SBU said the cleric allegedly helped coordinate the shelling of Odesa with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles. According to the security service, the first missile struck a residential area, while the second hit the same location after emergency services had arrived.
The SBU claims the priest passed information and target coordinates, as well as data on the location of air defense forces and an electrical substation, to a chatbot run by Sergey Lebedev, known by the alias “Lokhmaty.” A smartphone allegedly used to communicate with intelligence services was seized from the detainee.
SBU investigators notified the priest that he is suspected of high treason under Part 2 of Article 111 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. He faces life imprisonment.
As reported earlier by the UOJ, the SBU detained a UOC cleric for allegedly “waiting for the full occupation of Ukraine.” Such SBU reports continue to shape an atmosphere of suspicion around information security in church circles, especially under wartime conditions.
Read also
Drabinko and Zinkevych arrive on Mount Athos
Representatives of Dumenko's religious organization are visiting the Holy Mountain.
Zelensky warns EU of possible influx of 20M Ukrainian refugees
Volodymyr Zelensky urged the European Union to provide Ukraine with at least €70 billion, warning that otherwise 20 million Ukrainians could flee to Europe.
RCC estimates aid to Ukraine via church organizations at over €1 billion
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine said that if political leaders fail to bring about peace, local communities must take responsibility for building it.
Murder of Catholic priest by Ukrainian citizen cited in OIDAC report
OIDAC Europe documented 30 incidents of violence and attacks against Christian churches across Europe in September.
Favor Foundation appeals for donations to UOC charity canteens
The charity is raising UAH 180,000 to purchase food for seven UOC charity canteens in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Sumy, and Oleksandriia.
UOC volunteers deliver 30 tons of aid from Bukovyna to Sviatohirsk Lavra
Believers of the Chernivtsi and Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC brought about 30 tons of humanitarian aid for the Sviatohirsk Lavra and residents of nearby villages.