Supreme Court uphols sanctions against UOC hierarch
Highest judicial authority considered the activities of a retired UOC hierarch a threat of "religious schism".
On June 23, 2026, a court issued a ruling in the case challenging the decrees of Ukrainian President that imposed sanctions on Metropolitan Joseph (Maslennikov). The judges of the Grand Chamber fully agreed with the conclusions of the Cassation Administrative Court regarding the lawfulness of these measures.
The grounds for the court ruling were accusations against the Metropolitan of justifying armed aggression, publicly glorifying individuals involved in it, and approving the actions of Russian troops. The court verdict also stated that the hierarch's activities pose a direct threat of "religious schism in society."
As the UOJ reported, Zelensky strengthened sanctions against representatives of the UOC.
