Volyn TCC commented on the abduction of a UOC priest in Lutsk

The Volyn Regional TCC and SP commented on the abduction in Lutsk of the rector of a UOC church, Archpriest Ioann Kuzminsky. The agency reported that the priest had already been sent to a training center to undergo military training. This was reported by Volyn News Service.

The TCC claims that on July 23, 2026, upon seeing a patrol consisting of servicemen and a police officer, the clergyman allegedly began to flee and attempted to hide in one of the shops.

The military stated that during the interaction the priest refused to provide his personal details, displayed aggression, and attempted to leave the scene. It is precisely for this reason, as the agency claims, that he was "escorted" into a service vehicle. At the same time, the TCC complained of "physical interference" from bystanders who attempted to obstruct the actions of the military.

The TCC also reported that on the same day Archpriest Ioann underwent a military medical commission, which declared him fit for service. Immediately thereafter, the priest was sent to a training center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to undergo basic military training.

Earlier, UOC attorney Archpriest Nikita Chekman reported that lawyers have already filed statements with the State Bureau of Investigations and the police regarding the abduction. The ombudsman's representative office in Volyn also launched an inquiry into the circumstances of the incident, as video footage shows a man being carried out of a building by his arms and legs. Believers and eyewitnesses note that the clergyman may have sustained bodily injuries during the forcible seizure.

As the SPJ reported, the TCC claimed that the detained UOC deacon with many children had himself wished to serve.

Read also