Police launch investigation into attack on Sviatohirsk Lavra

Police. Photo: Ukrinform

The Donetsk region police have launched an investigation into the attack on the brotherhood of the Sviatohirsk Lavra. Investigators have opened criminal proceedings regarding the deliberate murder of a monk and the attempted murder of two other people on the monastery's grounds, reports Ukrainska Pravda.

The information regarding the attack was entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations by the investigative department of Police Unit No. 2 of the Kramatorsk District Police Directorate of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Donetsk region.

Law enforcement officers classified the incident under Part 1 of Article 115 (deliberate murder) and Part 2 of Article 15, Paragraph 1 of Part 2 of Article 115 (completed attempt at deliberate murder of two or more persons) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Procedural supervision of the proceedings is carried out by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office in the Field of Defense of the Eastern Region.

As the UOJ reported, the attack on the brotherhood of the Sviatohirsk Holy Dormition Lavra took place on August 23, 2026, at around 11 a.m. Monk Varsonofiy was killed with a knife, his face mutilated beyond recognition. Also wounded were Monk Hryhorii, whose lung was pierced with a knife, and novice Andrii. Both are in serious condition in one of the Kharkiv hospitals.

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