TRC officers detain UOC priest with mobilization deferment in Zolotonosha

Archpriest Andrii Kononenko. Photo: Pershyi Kozatskyi Telegram channel

Officers of the Zolotonosha Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) unlawfully detained Archpriest Andrii Kononenko, rector of the UOC's St. Nicholas Church in the village of Bubnova Slobidka, Cherkasy Oblast, according to the Pershyi Kozatskyi Telegram channel.

According to the channel, the priest went to the TRC to update his personal information. He has an official deferment from mobilization because he cares for a child with a disability. This information is also recorded in the Reserve+ system, and the channel included a screenshot of the relevant record in its post.

However, TRC officers told the priest that they did not recognize his deferment and dismissed his child's medical condition as “fake.” According to the source, Fr. Andrii was forcibly taken to Cherkasy.

The priest is refusing to sign any documents. In response, TRC officers have threatened to call the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and falsely accuse him of “inciting mobilized men to revolt.” They have also stated that they intend to forcibly mobilize him regardless.

St. Nicholas Church in Bubnova Slobidka was seized by OCU supporters in 2025. According to the channel, the priest had repeatedly received threats from local anti-Church activists.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Theodosiy described the mobilization of priests as a veritable genocide.

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