SBU issues notice of suspicion to ROC protodeacon
The SBU has issued a notice of suspicion to ROC deacon Serafim Dubanov. Photo: Dubanov's Facebook page
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has issued a notice of suspicion to Archdeacon Serafim Dubanov of the Russian Orthodox Church, leader of the Russian Format choir. The cleric is accused of financing the Russian military and providing ideological support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
According to investigators, Dubanov has been regularly collecting and delivering military equipment to Russian forces fighting in eastern Ukraine since 2022. The SBU claims he visited military positions in the Luhansk region, where he supplied anti-drone rifles, quadcopters, communications equipment, military uniforms, and batteries for radio systems.
The cleric is also accused of organizing performances by the Russian Format choir to boost troop morale and of engaging in propaganda activities on social media aimed at justifying war crimes.
Based on the evidence collected, the SBU classified the alleged offenses under Part 3 of Article 110-2 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which concerns financing activities intended to forcibly alter Ukraine’s borders or seize state power.
According to the SBU, Dubanov also signed a contract with Russia’s Ministry of Defense and serves as an “assistant commander for work with believers” in one of the Russian military brigades.
As the UOJ previously reported, the SBU issued a notice of suspicion in absentia to a Russian Orthodox Church metropolitan.
Read also
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry plans advocacy visits abroad for UCCRO
Members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations have planned advocacy visits abroad following a meeting with Ukraine’s deputy foreign minister.
UOC priest detained by recruitment officers in Kyiv sent to training ground
UOC priest Maksym Kostiuchenko, who was detained on his way to a church service in Kyiv, has been sent to a military training ground in Chernihiv Region.
25 tons of humanitarian aid from Volyn reach Sviatohirsk Lavra
Around 25 tons of food donated by believers of the UOC Volyn Eparchy arrived at Sviatohirsk Lavra on October 22.
UOC West European Vicariate holds children's camp in Germany
A children’s camp was held in the UOC’s Western Deanery in Germany from October 19 to 23.
Vinnytsia Metropolitan consecrates UOC Intercession church in Luka-Barska
Metropolitan Varsonofy consecrated the Church of the Intercession in Luka Barska, Vinnytsia Region, and celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the new church.
“Joy of All Who Sorrow” lower сhurch сonsecrated in Korosten
Metropolitan Nikodim of Zhytomyr and Novohrad-Volynskyi presided over the consecration of the church and celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Church in Korosten.