UOC priest missing after contact with SBU gets in touch
Priest Andriy Denysenko. Photo: t.me/nikita_chekman
On August 14, 2026, Priest Andriy Denysenko contacted his family after having been taken from a military training ground by SBU officers, UOC attorney Archpriest Nikita Chekman reported.
Fr Andriy said he was feeling well and was currently at a military unit. He confirmed that he had been questioned but said that he was now all right. The priest expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone who had been concerned about him, supported his family, and prayed for him, adding that he had felt their prayerful support.
Archpriest Nikita said that after contact with Fr Andriy was lost, lawyers immediately took legal steps to establish his whereabouts, clarify the circumstances and legal grounds for his transfer, and ensure that his rights were respected. He thanked everyone who had helped spread information about the situation, supported the priest’s family, and prayed for Fr Andriy.
As the UOJ previously reported, Priest Andriy Denysenko went missing after SBU officers took him from a military training ground. On June 25, 2026, the priest was detained by patrol police and taken to a Territorial Recruitment Center (TCC). He was later assigned to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, where he underwent training. The priest had last been in contact on July 26.
Read also
Radical attacks UOC lawyer at Upper Lavra court hearing
An ambulance was called for a UOC lawyer who sustained injuries in an attack by a radical.
Metropolitan Nafanail offers condolences to families of Lutsk victims
The UOC’s Volyn Eparchy is praying for those killed and injured in the Russian attack on Lutsk, which claimed six lives.
UOC-KP “patriarch”: Our cleric was killed for his religious beliefs
The UOC-KP head claimed that the death of cleric Oleksandr Salnyi in the Poltava region was linked to his religious beliefs and called for an investigation.
UOC-KP head: Authorities are turning OCU into state church
UOC-KP head Nikodym accused Ukrainian authorities of favoring the OCU at the expense of other religious denominations.
St. Sophia of Kyiv displays "Angels of Victory" made of spent shell casings
The St. Sophia of Kyiv National Reserve is displaying angel figures made from spent shell casings and textile artworks featuring Ukrainian soldiers’ call signs.
Persecuted Intercession parish celebrates patronal feast in Hostomel
Archbishop Spyridon of Dobropillia and Bishop Arkadiy of Hostomel celebrated the Liturgy in adapted premises for the feast of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos.