Chronicle of the reprisal against UOC clergy

Mobilization of UOC clergy already numbers in the hundreds. Photo: UOJ

Defending one’s country is a constitutional duty. But a clergyman, under threat of being defrocked, cannot take up arms. Therefore, the forced mobilization of clergy is nothing other than a reprisal against priests and the Church.

In ancient times, one could avoid torment by renouncing Christ. In Soviet times, renouncing the priesthood could help. In today’s Ukraine, renouncing the Church and transferring to the OCU can help one avoid mobilization. But in every age, true Christians have chosen faithfulness. This publication is about those who have remained faithful today.

We have systematized the cases of mobilization of clergymen of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that are available in the media. Let us make it clear from the outset: these are only the examples that have made it into the public domain. In reality, there are far more of them. Most likely, many times more.

Year 2024

Archpriest Ioan Rozman, Khust Eparchy

On March 14, 2024, the secretary of the Khust Eparchy, Archpriest Ioan Rozman, was summoned for questioning by an investigator at the Tiachiv District Police. After the interrogation, upon leaving the police premises, he was detained by armed men in balaclavas and taken to an unknown location. The eparchy later reported that he was serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite having grounds for exemption from service (many children). As of April 23, 2024, Archpriest Ioan Rozman was still being held in a military unit.

Archpriest Ioan Petechel, Khust Eparchy

On March 27, 2024, employees of the TRC (Territorial Recruitment Center) took away the treasurer of the Khust Eparchy of the UOC, Archpriest Ioan Petechel, who has three minor children. Following a parliamentary inquiry, the police opened a criminal case regarding the unlawful mobilization of clergy of the Khust Eparchy. On April 22, that is, nearly a month later, Fr. Ioan Petechel was released.

Archimandrite Varlaam (Didenko), Khust Eparchy

On August 31, 2024, a report appeared that the Uzhhorod TRC had mobilized Archimandrite Varlaam, the abbot of the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery in the village of Tereblia, Tiachiv District, Zakarpattia region. He was sent to a military training center in Rivne.

Archpriests Vasyl and Stepan Huk, Khust and Odessa Eparchies

On September 22, 2024, after the Sunday Liturgy in the village of Iza, Zakarpattia region, Khust TRC staff took away two UOC priests, brothers Archpriests Vasyl and Stepan Huk. They were held for an entire day; after the faithful came out to the TRC and blocked the road, the priests were released in the evening.

Archpriest Ioann Polishchuk, Cherkasy Eparchy

On October 1, 2024, in Kremenets, Ternopil region, Archpriest Ioann Polishchuk was detained, having recently returned from Germany where he had been ministering to UOC parishioners. Despite high blood pressure, he was denied medical assistance at the TRC and taken to a training center in the Rivne region. It was later reported that Fr. Ioann was subjected to physical and psychological pressure in one of the military units in the Zakarpattia region due to his refusal of mobilization on religious grounds.

Archpriest Vasyl Rosokha, Khust Eparchy

He was mobilized on October 2, 2024. According to his wife, after being held at the Tiachiv TRC, the priest was sent to Rivne.

Archpriest Petro Cholak, Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy

On October 25, 2024, the dean of the Novovolynsk Deanery of the Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy, Archpriest Petro Cholak, was forcibly mobilized in Lutsk. He was put on a bus, taken to the TRC, and then sent to a training ground. According to the reports, he was being pressured to serve bearing arms.

Archpriest Oleh Melnyk, Ternopil region

On November 2, 2024, the nearly 55-year-old Archpriest Oleh Melnyk was stopped at a checkpoint and taken to the TRC. He was held without food for more than a day, and his phone was confiscated. A published video claimed that one of the TRC employees had used force against him.

Archpriest Andrii Stupnytsky, Rivne Eparchy

On December 13, 2024, TRC employees detained the rector of the Holy Trinity Church in the village of Povcha, Rivne Eparchy, Archpriest Andrii Stupnytsky. It was reported that the priest was on his way to a church service on his name day, had serious health problems, but was declared fit for service. Later, information emerged that he had decided to remain and serve as a chaplain; however, due to his state of health, he was sent home for treatment.

Priest Yevhen Rozhdestvenskyi, Odesa Eparchy

On December 21, 2024, the priest of UOC churches in the villages of Krasna Kosa and Semenivka of the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Deanery of the Odesa Eparchy, Yevhen Rozhdestvenskyi, was detained at a mobile checkpoint in the Odesa region while returning from the maternity hospital after his wife had given birth. He was taken to various TRCs and training centers; reports emerged of health problems following a road accident. On December 31, it became known that he had been released.

Year 2025

Archimandrite Bohdan (Pylhui), Kharkiv Eparchy

On January 25, 2025, at the Kharkiv–Chuhuiv checkpoint, TCC employees detained Archimandrite Bohdan (Pylhui), the abbot of the men's monastery in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Skoroposlushnitsa" in the village of Babai, Kharkiv Diocese. He was sent to a military medical commission and then taken around military units in Dnipro. After this information was made public, he was released.

Protodeacon Andrii Kravchuk, Balta Eparchy

On March 4, 2025, in the city of Podilsk, Odesa region, police stopped Protodeacon Andrii Kravchuk, a cleric of the Holy Dormition Cathedral in the city of Balta and taken to the TRC. The following day, he was released.

Archpriest Vladyslav Batiuk, Rivne Eparchy

On May 22, 2025, in Pochaiv, TRC representatives detained Archpriest Vladyslav Batiuk, the rector of the Trinity Parish of the UOC in the Radyvyliv Deanery, as he was returning from a church service. Without explanation, the priest was taken to the Kremenets TRC, where he was served a summons.

Archpriest Oleksandr Moskovchuk, Odesa Eparchy

On June 10, 2025, the rector of the Trinity Church in the village of Troiandove, Odesa region, Archpriest Oleksandr Moskovchuk, was detained. He was held for several days in various TRCs and military units; reports emerged of pressure to sign a contract. After five days, he was released.

Archimandrite Pafnutii, Pochaiv Skete

On June 11, 2025, in Kremenets, Ternopil region, Archimandrite Pafnutii, the abbot of the Holy Spirit Skete of the Pochaiv Lavra, was detained. He was taken first to the Ternopil TRC and then to a military unit in the Rivne region. A TRC representative stated that the clergyman is subject to mobilization on general grounds.

Archpriest Oleksandr Zhuk, Rivne Eparchy

On the evening of June 11, 2025, in Rivne, TRC employees detained Archpriest Oleksandr Zhuk, the rector of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva in the village of Viliia. The priest was immediately taken to a military medical commission, which he underwent throughout the night. The following day, he was released "due to the absence of grounds for mobilization".

Protodeacon Andrii Mankevych, Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

On June 11, 2025, Protodeacon Andrii Mankevych, a cleric of the St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy, was detained after the evening service. Several days later, he was released.

Deacon Maksym Huzenko, Sarny Eparchy

On June 14, 2025, in Sarny, TRC employees detained a cleric of the Intercession Cathedral, Deacon Maksym Huzenko. His phone was confiscated and he was held at the TRC for several days. His subsequent fate is unknown.

Priest Rostyslav Kalinovskyi, Kamianske Eparchy

On June 19, 2025, employees of the Kamianske TRC detained Priest Rostyslav Kalinovskyi from Kamianske, Dnipropetrovsk region. He was taken around various military units, which refused to accept him. Two days later he was released, but on June 24 he was summoned to the TRC again, where pressure was applied to make him sign a contract and take an oath. His subsequent fate is unknown.

Archpriest Ioann Koval, Ternopil Eparchy

On the morning of June 22, 2025, in the city of Shumsk, Ternopil region, TRC employees, together with police, detained Archpriest Ioan Koval as he was on his way to conduct services at the Churches of the Dormition of the Mother of God in the village of Onyshkivtsi and the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Bolozhivka. He was taken to the Shumsk TRC branch.

Archpriest Heorhii Pryimak, Ternopil Eparchy

On June 23, 2025, a report came that TRC employees had detained Archpriest Heorhii Pryimak, the rector of the Trinity Church of the UOC in the town of Vyshnevets. The information that the clergyman was being held at the TRC was published by his daughter.

Later, the Ternopil Regional TRC commented on the forced mobilization of Archpriests Ioann Koval and Heorhii Pryimak, stating that they had not been reserved and are subject to mobilization on general grounds.

Archpriest Ihor Kushniruk, Ternopil Eparchy

On June 24, 2025, a report came of yet another priest of the Ternopil Eparchy abducted by TCC employees — Archpriest Ihor Kushniruk. No further information about the fate of Archpriest Ihor Kushniruk could be found in open sources.

Metropolitan Bohоlер of Oleksandriia and Svitlovodsk

On July 15, 2025, TRC employees detained Metropolitan Bohоlер of Oleksandriia and Svitlovodsk. After a summons and an administrative protocol were issued, the hierarch was released. The Greek news agency Romfea described the detention of Metropolitan Bohоlер as part of the large-scale persecution of the UOC by the Ukrainian authorities.

Archpriests Hryhorii Bakunets and Oleksandr Soltys, Sarny Eparchy

On August 4, 2025, two priests of the Sarny Eparchy were detained. Archpriest Hryhorii Bakunets, the rector of the Holy Spirit Church in Mokvynski Khutory, was on his way to give communion to a gravely ill parishioner who had been left without last confession. On the same day, Archpriest Oleksandr Soltys, the rector of the Intercession Church in Peskove, was also detained.

Archpriest Serhii Shamailo, Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy

On August 4, 2025, near Kremenets, Archpriest Serhii Shamailo, the rector of the St. Anna Parish in the village of Shchedrohory, was detained. He was on his way to the Pochaiv Lavra for the All-Night Vigil before the Feast of the Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God.

Archpriest Yurii Naboka, Kharkiv Eparchy

On August 3, 2025, in Kharkiv, Archpriest Yurii Naboka, a cleric of the Ascension Church, was detained. TRC employees stopped him on his way to the Sunday All-Night Vigil and sent him to Dnipro.

Priest Karp, Chernivtsi Eparchy

On August 7, 2025, in Chernivtsi, TRC employees detained Fr. Karp on Soborna Square. That same evening, it was reported that he had been released.

Archpriests Serhii and Vitalii Kyt, Kharkiv Eparchy

On August 8, 2025, TRC employees detained two brother-priests — Archpriests Serhii and Vitalii Kyt. They were summoned to the SBU ostensibly for questioning, and upon leaving the building they were seized by TRC staff. The priests claimed they had a deferment.

Priest Fedir Hnitetskyi and Deacon Ivan Dmytruk, Bukovyna Eparchy

In August 2025, reports emerged of the detention of Priest Fedir Hnitetskyi and Deacon Ivan Dmytruk. For several days they were taken around various military units.

Archpriest Bohdan Matviev, Kremenchuk Eparchy

On August 25, 2025, on the last day of the cross procession from Kamianets-Podilskyi to Pochaiv, Archpriest Bohdan Matviev, the dean of the Kozelshchyna Deanery of the Kremenchuk Eparchy, was detained. At the moment of his detention, he was transporting sick people to the Lavra. He has five children, and his eldest son is serving at the front. It was later reported that he was at the Rivne training ground.

Archpriest Volodymyr Hlavatskyi, Rivne Eparchy

On August 29, 2025, in the village of Pyriatyn, Dubno District, Rivne region, TRC employees took away Archpriest Volodymyr Hlavatskyi from the cemetery after the funeral service for AFU soldier Yurii Datsiuk. The summons was handed to him right at the graveside while he was still in his vestments. After a formal military medical commission, Fr. Volodymyr ended up at a training ground.

Bishop Serafym of Novovorontsovka and Hieromonk Havryil, Nova Kakhovka Eparchy

On September 2, 2025, TRC employees detained the vicar of the Nova Kakhovka Eparchy, Bishop Serafym of Novovorontsovka and Hieromonk Havryil. They were sent to a training ground in the Rivne region.

Archpriest Mykola Hubka, Chernivtsi Eparchy

In early September 2025, in Bukovyna, TRC employees took away the 58-year-old Archpriest Mykola Hubka, the rector of the St. Nicholas Parish in the village of Maliatyntsi. He was taken around military units for several days. After some time he was released and returned to his ministry at his parish.

Archpriest Mykola Hryha, Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy

On September 11, 2025, TRC staff abducted the rector of the UOC Church of the Prophet Elijah in the village of Valiava, Archpriest Mykola Hryha. He was taken to the TRC premises in the city of Chernivtsi.

Archpriest Vadym Olianytskyi, Bila Tserkva Eparchy

On September 12, 2025, in Bila Tserkva, on his way to church, TRC employees detained the rector of the St. George Chapel-Church, Archpriest Vadym Olianytskyi. He was later released, but was required to appear at the TRC upon summons.

Archpriest Mykola Khlan, Shepetivka Eparchy

In early September 2025, a mobilized priest of the Shepetivka Eparchy, Archpriest Mykola Khlan, the rector of the Transfiguration community in the village of Mynkivtsi, Slavuta District, Khmelnytskyi region, was killed at the front. He had been mobilized shortly before his death, despite being under criminal prosecution, with the first-instance verdict not yet having entered into force due to an appeal.

Protodeacon Andrii Kyziun, Kyiv Eparchy

On October 16, 2025, TRC employees detained UOC Protodeacon Andrii Kyziun in Kyiv. After a formal military medical commission, he was taken to a military unit.

Archpriest Vitalii Popko, Kovel Eparchy

On October 16, 2025, near his own home, the Lutsk TRC detained a cleric of the Church of the Pochaiv Icon of the Mother of God in Kovel, Archpriest Vitalii Popko. He has four minor children: two of his own and two adopted orphans. All the necessary documents had been properly filed. On October 17, following wide publicity and the prayers of the faithful, he was released.

Archpriest Kostiantyn Volovyi, Cherkasy Eparchy

On November 17, 2025, TRC employees unlawfully detained a cleric of the Kamianske Deanery, Archpriest Kostiantyn Volovyi. He was abducted on the road from Smila to Cherkasy and taken to the Smila TRC. Despite Fr. Kostiantyn having five minor children and his data being in the demographic register, he was sent to a military medical commission and then to a training center.

When the priest's relatives came to the Smila TCC and brought documents confirming the reservation, the military commissars refused to accept them. A day later, TRC employees released Fr. Kostiantyn, fearing public backlash.

Protodeacon Valentyn Makovskyi, Chernivtsi Eparchy

On October 25, 2025, TRC personnel detained a cleric of the Presentation Monastery in Chernivtsi, Protodeacon Valentyn Makovskyi. Nothing is known about his subsequent fate.

Priest Oleksii Lukash, Cherkasy Eparchy

On November 6, 2025, in the city of Smila, TRC employees forcibly took away the rector of the Church of the New Martyrs of Cherkasy, Priest Oleksii Lukash. He was taken to the Cherkasy TRC, despite a previously established limited fitness status due to hypertension.

Priest Valerii Floresku, Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy

On November 7, 2025, a report appeared that TRC staff had detained the rector of the St. Basil the Great parish in the village of Korchivtsi, Priest Valerii Floresku. He was sent to a training ground in the Chernivtsi region.

Archpriest Oleksandr Istratii, Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy

On November 19, 2025, TRC employees took away the rector of the St. Nicholas community in the village of Marshyntsi, Archpriest Oleksandr Istratii.

Archbishop Andrii of Dnipropetrovsk and Petropavlivsk

On November 26, 2025, in Dnipro, TRC reps detained Archbishop Andrii of Dnipropetrovsk and Petropavlivsk and brought him to the Soborny Recruitment Center of the city. After several hours, the archbishop was released from the building. Closer to nighttime, the bishop was rescued from the distribution center.

Archpriest Vitalii Ahafonov, Kryvyi Rih Eparchy

In November 2025, a cleric of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Nikopol, Archpriest Vitalii Ahafonov, was mobilized, sent to a military unit, and assigned to the position of sniper-rifleman. Fr. Vitalii refused to serve as a sniper, citing the fact that a priest cannot take up arms. As a result, he was taken into custody on charges of desertion.

Archpriest Serhii Savievskyi, Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy

On December 2, 2025, the TRC detained Archpriest Serhii Savievskyi, the rector of parishes in the villages of Sylne and Hupaly. After a formal military medical commission, he was sent to the Rivne training ground.

Priest Andrii Panasiuk, Rivne Eparchy

On November 19, 2025, TRC reps detained the rector of the St. Michael's Church in the village of Bushcha, Priest Andrii Panasiuk, at a bus stop in the village of Zdovbytsia. His phone was confiscated, a military medical commission was quickly conducted, and he was sent to the training ground in Mala Liubasha.

Archpriest Vasyl Drahun, Khust Eparchy

In late December 2025, in Uzhhorod, TRC employees forcibly mobilized Archpriest Vasyl Drahun, the rector of the Church of the Myrrh-Bearing Women in the village of Rakovo. At the time of mobilization, he was receiving inpatient treatment at the regional hospital.

Year 2026

Archpriest Mykola Syniuk, Chernivtsi Eparchy

On January 7, 2026, TRC employees detained a cleric of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy, Archpriest Mykola Syniuk, who was serving at the Presentation Monastery in Chernivtsi.

Priest Viacheslav Kalinichenko, Izium Eparchy

On January 8, 2026, at a checkpoint in Chuhuiv, the rector of St. Michael's Church in the village of Petrivka, Izium Eparchy, Priest Viacheslav Kalinichenko, was detained. He was held for more than 72 hours, then taken to Kharkiv, after which he was sent to Dnipro to a training unit.

Priest Andrii Ilman, Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy

On January 17, 2026, in Dnipro, a cleric of the Holy Spirit Monastery, Fr. Andrii Ilman, was detained. He was stopped near his home as he was on his way to a church service, taken to a distribution point, and was being prepared for deployment to the front.

Archpriest Vitalii Chaban, Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy

On January 23, 2026, Archpriest Vitalii Chaban was mobilized during inpatient treatment. He had the status of limited fitness, but after the military medical commission he was taken to a training ground in Starychi, Lviv region.

Archpriests Petro Cholak, Bohdan Hnatiuk, Petro Rud, Serhii Savievskyi, and Vitalii Tsumyk, Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy

According to a statement from the eparchial administration dated January 24, 2026, all of them had been mobilized and were serving in the military.

Archpriests Yurii Khavura and Andrii Olasiuk, Deacon Mykola Matviienko, Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy

The eparchy reported that Archpriests Yurii Khavura and Andrii Olasiuk are listed as missing in action, and Deacon Mykola Matviienko was killed. Details of their mobilization are not provided.

Archpriest Oleh Ostafiuk, Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy

On January 26, 2026, a report appeared that TCC employees had detained the rector of

the parish of St. George the Great Martyr in the village of Nizhni Synivtsi, as well as the parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in the village of Verkhnі Synivtsi.

He was taken to a TRC directly from a checkpoint.

Archpriest Maksym Moskalchuk, Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

On January 28, 2026, Archpriest Maksym Moskalchuk, rector of the Protection of the Mother of God Church in the village of Redvyntsi, was detained in the Khmelnytskyi region.

His phone was confiscated and he was taken away to an unknown location. The following day, it was reported that he had been released.

Archimandrite Herman (Kulakevych), Rivne Eparchy

On February 3, 2026, in Rivne, TRC personnel detained Archimandrite Herman, a monk of the Varvarivskyi Skete in the village of Staryi Korets.

At the time of his detention, he was returning from a hospital examination due to an acute case of an acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI). On February 4, it became known that he had been declared fit for service with limitations and sent to one of the military units in the Rivne region.

Archpriest Ioann Chyryk, Volyn Eparchy

On February 3, 2026, in the village of Horodylets, Volyn region, unidentified individuals without presenting documents detained Archpriest Ioann Chyryk, rector of the “Life-Giving Spring” Church.

The following day, a photo of the priest in military uniform appeared on social media, which was presented as evidence of forced mobilization.

Archpriest Oleksandr Cherniadiev, Nikopol Eparchy

On February 6, 2026, TRC personnel detained Archpriest Oleksandr Cherniadiev, rector of the Holy Trinity Church in Nikopol, directly on the church premises and took him to Dnipro.

Bishop Mykyta of Ivano-Frankivsk

On February 11, 2026, in Chernivtsi, TRC staff attempted to detain Bishop Mykyta of Ivano-Frankivsk while he was on his way to a church service.

He was forced to take refuge on the grounds of the Holy Spirit Cathedral.

Archpriest Anatolii Chernenko, Cherkasy Eparchy

On February 21, 2026, in the city of Horodyshche, Cherkasy Region, TRC personnel forcibly mobilized Archpriest Anatolii Chernenko, rector of the UOC St. Michael’s Church.

After his detention, he was taken to a TRC and then sent to one of the combat brigades for military service.

Archpriest Yaroslav Kruhlenko, Kyiv Eparchy

On February 24, 2026, in Kyiv, TRC reps detained Archpriest Yaroslav Kruhlenko, rector of the UOC Alexander Nevsky Church.

He was taken to the TRC on Iordanska Street, then transferred to the Darnytskyi District, and was reportedly scheduled to be sent to Dnipro overnight.

Later, the priest’s family reported that they had lost contact with him.

Archimandrite Raphael (Mosunov), Kyiv Eparchy

On March 4, 2026, in Kyiv, TRC personnel detained Archimandrite Raphael, a lecturer at the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary.

He was released after some time.

Hieromonk Daniel and Novice Vadym, Kharkiv Eparchy

On March 20, 2026, TRC staff detained monks of the Intercession Monastery in Kharkiv: Hieromonk Daniel and novice Vadym.

Priest Ihor Kovaliuk, Ternopil Eparchy

On March 21, 2026, reports appeared that in Ternopil region, TRC personnel detained Priest Ihor Kovaliuk, a lecturer at the Pochaiv Theological Seminary and a cleric of the seminary church.

At the time of his detention, he was on his way to the village of Volytsia to conduct a memorial service.

Archimandrite Leontii and Hieromonk Arsenii, Kharkiv Eparchy

On March 27, 2026, personnel from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the TRC entered the Izium Peschansky Monastery and, using physical force, abducted Archimandrite Leontii and Hieromonk Arsenii. They were taken to a TRC.

Monk Vlasii, Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy

On March 27, 2026, reports emerged that TRC personnel detained Monk Vlasii near the gates of the Miletskyi Monastery. After a formal military medical examination, he was sent to a training unit.

Archimandrite Philaret (Olivynskyi), Vinnytsia Eparchy

On April 7, 2026, in Vinnytsia, police and TRC personnel detained Archimandrite Philaret, a cleric of the Vinnytsia Eparchy and secretary to Metropolitan Varsonofii. He was released two days later.

Archpriest Oleksandr Okruzhko, Kamianets-Podilskyi Eparchy

On April 8, 2026, Archpriest Oleksandr Okruzhko, rector of the Nativity of the Mother of God Church in the city of Dolzhok, was detained in Kamianets-Podilskyi.

His phone was confiscated, he was quickly taken through a military medical examination, and sent to a military unit.

Archpriest Bohdan Huliak, Sumy Eparchy

On April 16, 2026, in the city of Trostianets, TRC personnel detained Archpriest Bohdan Huliak, rector of the Transfiguration Church in the village of Soldatske. He was released after some time.

Archimandrite Rufin, Odesa Eparchy

On April 24, 2026, reports emerged of the detention in Odesa of Archimandrite Rufin, a resident of the Holy Dormition Monastery. TRC personnel reportedly pulled him out of a taxi and took him away. He was later found to be at a training center near Kharkiv.

Archimandrite Sergii, Chernivtsi Eparchy

On April 27, 2026, TRC personnel detained Archimandrite Sergii, a resident of the Bancheny Monastery, who serves as the guardian of children with disabilities.

After Metropolitan Longin and hundreds of believers gathered outside the TRC building in Chernivtsi, the clergyman was released.

Archimandrite Theophil (Koshovenko), Kyiv Eparchy

On May 1, 2026, TRC personnel detained Archimandrite Theophil, a resident of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, in Kyiv. The incident occurred on Lesi Ukrainky Boulevard while the clergyman was on his way to provide spiritual assistance to an elderly parishioner.

Hieromonk Ilia, Zhytomyr Eparchy

On May 1, 2026, in Zhytomyr Region, police detained Hieromonk Ilia, rector of the UOC Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in the village of Novi Vorobi, and handed him over to TRC personnel. He was reportedly sprayed with pepper spray and subjected to physical force. He was then sent to the 95th Air Assault Brigade. Following the rector’s mobilization, representatives of the OCU reportedly sealed the UOC church in Novi Vorobi.

Archpriest Serhii Liakh, Khust Eparchy

On May 4, 2026, residents of the village of Lypcha, Khust District, Zakarpattia Region, blocked a road demanding the release from the TRC of Archpriest Serhii Liakh, rector of the UOC Holy Spirit Church. The previous day, the priest had been taken away by TRC personnel. On May 5, reports emerged that Archpriest Serhii Liakh had returned home and resumed serving at the Holy Spirit Church.

Hierodeacon Yevlohii (Radomskyi), Pochaiv Lavra

On May 5, 2026, while working in a field near the Skete of the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra, TRC personnel detained Hierodeacon Yevlohii, a Lavra monk. He was taken away to an unknown location. Later, he was sent to one of the military units to undergo service.

Metropolitan Volodymyr of Volodymyr-Volynskyi and Kovel, Archpriest Oleksandr Kobenko, and Deacon Dmytro Manetskyi, Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy

On May 7, 2026, near the village of Dernо on the highway between Rivne and Lutsk, TRC personnel stopped a vehicle carrying Metropolitan Volodymyr of Volodymyr-Volynskyi and Kovel, Archpriest Oleksandr Kobenko, and Deacon Dmytro Manetskyi. Without checking documents, the personnel reportedly began forcibly pulling the hierarch out of the vehicle. Archpriest Oleksandr was sprayed with pepper spray, forced to kneel, and beaten. They were then forcibly pushed into a TRC service vehicle. Due to the stress he experienced, the metropolitan suffered a heart attack, while the priest developed an acute allergic reaction to the sprayed gas.

Later, the metropolitan and the priest were dropped off near a checkpoint, after which the TRC staff and police officers left in an unknown direction.

Hierodeacon Olympii (Khrashchevskyi), Pochaiv Lavra

On May 15, 2026, while entering Ukraine from Georgia at the Ukrainian border, TRC personnel detained 45-year-old Hierodeacon Olympii, a monk of the Pochaiv Lavra.

Archimandrite Galaktion (Redey), Shepetivka Eparchy

On May 24, 2026, TRC representatives, together with local officials and police, arrived at the territory of the UOC St. John the Baptist Monastery in the village of Velyka Kalynivka, Khmelnytskyi region, and detained Archimandrite Galaktion (Redey). He was taken directly from his monastic cell and taken away to an unknown location. Later, information emerged that he was being held at one of the military units in the city of Chortkiv, Ternopil region. 

Archimandrite Alexii (Matsola), Shepetivka Eparchy

On May 26, 2026, reports emerged of the detention of Archimandrite Alexii (Matsola), a cleric of the Shepetivka Eparchy.

According to available information, he was taken to a training ground in Rivne Region.

Archpriest Volodymyr Zadneprianets, Tulchyn Eparchy

On May 27, 2026, personnel from the Haisyn TRC detained Archpriest Volodymyr Zadneprianets. On June 3, he was released and allowed to return home after being held at the Haisyn military recruitment office.

Archpriest Andrii Lysiuk, Kropyvnytskyi Eparchy

On May 30, 2026, TRC personnel detained Archpriest Andrii Lysiuk, rector of the Church of the Mother of God “Quick to Hear” in the village of Sharivka, Kirovohrad region. His vehicle was stopped while the priest was on his way to a church service. After his documents were checked, Fr. Andrii was taken to a distribution center in Kropyvnytskyi.

Archpriest Andrii Chornyi, Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

On June 4, 2026, police stopped the vehicle of Archpriest Andrii Chornyi, rector of the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian the Unmercenaries in the village of Lysohirka, and took him to the TRC in Derazhnia. According to the eparchy, the priest has serious health problems. After the military medical examination, he was taken away to an unknown location.

Archpriest Bohdan Katsevych, Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy

On June 4, 2026, Archpriest Bohdan Katsevych, rector of the Transfiguration Church in the village of Osmihovychi, was detained in the city of Volodymyr. At the time of his detention, he was returning from a hospital with his pregnant wife. It was reported that he suffered a heart attack; emergency medical personnel recommended hospitalization, but the TRC leadership refused to release him.

After a formal military medical examination, he was sent to a military unit.

Priest Oleksandr Drobiazko, Kyiv Eparchy

On June 4, 2026, TRC personnel detained the rector of the UOC Dormition Church in Kyiv, Fr. Oleksandr Drobiazko. He was detained directly near the church. TRC personnel asked the cleric about his religious affiliation, and after he stated that he belonged to the UOC, he was taken to a TRC, where he was placed in handcuffs. In this condition, Fr. Oleksandr was taken through a military medical examination and sent to a training unit in the Chernihiv region.

Protodeacon Mykola Mazurets, Odesa Eparchy

On June 6, 2026, TRC personnel detained Protodeacon Mykola Mazurets, a cleric of the UOC Holy Trinity Cathedral in Odesa. Despite medical documents confirming spinal conditions and myopia, the military medical commission declared him fit for service. On the same day, he was sent to the Vinnytsia region and later to the Mykolaiv region.

Archpriest Volodymyr Sereda, Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

On June 10, 2026, TRC personnel detained Archpriest Volodymyr Sereda, rector of the Church of the Apostle John the Theologian in the village of Korchevka. Despite the fact that he is the father of five children and cares for an elderly blind grandmother, he was taken to the Teofipol TRC, then sent to Khmelnytskyi for a military medical examination, after which contact with him was lost.

Deacon Andrii Virnyi, Lutsk Eparchy

On June 13, 2026, TRC personnel in Lutsk detained Deacon Andrii Virnyi, a cleric of the Church of the Three Holy Hierarchs. Despite the fact that he is a father of many children and that his four biological brothers are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he was taken to the Lutsk TRC.

What can be seen from this chronology

First, the pace of mobilization of UOC clergy appears to be increasing. If 11 people were mobilized during the entire year of 2024, then the number reached 42 in 2025. In less than half of 2026, there were already 49 cases. This suggests that, according to the chronology, pressure on the UOC through the mobilization of clergy has been increasing.

Second, the same pattern is repeatedly described in these cases: a person is detained on the street, near a church, while traveling to visit a sick person, at a cemetery after a funeral service, or even while receiving medical treatment. This is followed by a rapid military medical examination, confiscation of a phone, loss of contact with family members, and transfer to a training ground or military unit.

Third, mobilization is reported even in cases where a person has possible legal grounds for deferment, including having many children, serious health conditions, or caring for a person with a disability.

Fourth, public attention to the actions of TRC personnel regarding the mobilization of clergy, protests by believers, and priests’ refusal to take up arms have, according to these reports, led to some results. In a number of cases, priests were released.

Fifth, the authorities are aware that mobilization has serious consequences for clergy. For example, Viktor Yelensky stated at one of his recent press conferences: “He (the priest – Ed.) cannot take up arms. If he commits even an unintentional killing, he must be removed from the priesthood.” At the same time, according to the head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), “we do not provide reservations for such [clergy].”

Thus, according to the author’s interpretation, the state is presenting UOC deacons, priests, and even bishops with a “choice without a choice”: either transfer to the OCU, or face mobilization with the risks of death, injury, or loss of clerical status.

Conclusion

The consistent refusal to grant deferments to UOC priests and the significant increase in reported cases of mobilization indicate, in the author’s view, that the authorities have found an effective way to exert pressure on the Church.

This is presented as especially contradictory against the background of claims that DESS grants deferments to representatives of small religious movements and pagan organizations, arguing that they are critically important for Ukraine’s economy and public life.

The lives of martyrs and confessors of the first centuries can be found in the lives of the saints. The accounts of those who suffered for Christ during the Soviet era can be found in their biographies and court records.

We should not forget those clergy members who have received the difficult cross of confession of faith in our own time. But above all, we should pray for them and do everything we can do for their release.

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