Activist who fired shots in cathedral stages provocation against UOC bishop

A radical staged a provocation against Metropolitan Theodosiy. Collage: UOJ

Davyd Pshenychnyi, the radical who fired at parishioners of a church in Cherkasy, demanded that Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv sign consent to be “exchanged” to the Russian Federation. This was reported by Pershyi Kozatskyi.

The provocateur suggested that the UOC hierarch “make life easier” for himself and voluntarily agree to deportation. Pshenychnyi presented a prewritten statement in the bishop’s name, allegedly expressing his wish to be exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners of war.

“We are offering you the chance to sign it. You will go to the country you love so much, and we will get our heroes back,” Davyd said.

Davyd Pshenychnyi is known as a participant in the forceful seizure of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy, during which he fired a pistol at parishioners. Despite documented acts of violence, the extremist remains at large.

Pshenychnyi is an activist of the Osnova Maibutnoho organization, which operates under the leadership of Yevhen Karas. He has previously taken part in provocations against UOC believers, including during prayer vigils outside the Administrative Court of Cassation in Kyiv.

In February 2026, the radical publicly expressed dissatisfaction with a court ruling in the case of Metropolitan Theodosiy, calling the fine for “inciting interreligious enmity” too lenient a sentence.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the SBU conducted another search at Metropolitan Theodosiy’s premises. According to the hierarch, this may be pressure on him aimed at forcing him to agree to an exchange as an “enemy prisoner of war.”

Read also