Recruited people during sermons: SBU detained a priest of the UOC-MP for espionage

The SBU neutralized a Russian military intelligence agent network in Zaporizhia, which was led by a priest of the UOC-MP.

This was reported by the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine.

According to the case materials, the cell of Russian agents was coordinated by the rector of one of the local churches of the UOC-MP.

He sought out pro-Russian residents during sermons in which he justified Russia’s aggression.

“The SBU exposed his criminal activities when it detained a Russian corrections officer in the city. This suspect gave evidence against the cleric, and since then the special service began documenting the priest’s subversive activities,” the report says.

The abbot of the temple also recruited a 41-year-old mobilized man. On instructions from Russian special services, he transmitted data on the deployment, number, and armament of Ukrainian troops in the Zaporizhia direction.

“As the investigation established, the priest and the military man coordinated their actions with a resident of the 316th intelligence center of the Russian military. He turned out to be a former law enforcement officer from Zaporizhzhia, who fled to the temporarily occupied part of the territory of Ukraine and began working for the Russian Federation,” the SBU noted.

During the searches, the following was found on the detainees:

• phones and computer equipment containing evidence of crimes;
• Russian passport;
• ammunition for the Kalashnikov assault rifle;
• cold steel.

SBU investigators informed the detainees of suspicion under five articles of the Criminal Code:

• Part 2 of Article 111 (treason committed under martial law);
• Part 1, Part 2 of Article 110 (encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine);
• Part 2, 3 of Article 109 (actions aimed at forcibly changing or overthrowing the constitutional order or at seizing state power);
• Part 1, 3 of Art. 436-2 (justification, recognition as lawful, denial of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);
• Part 1 of Article 161 (violation of the equality of citizens depending on their racial, national, regional affiliation and religious beliefs).

It is noted that the perpetrators are currently in custody.

Earlier, the Security Service of Ukraine exposed and detained an instructor major from one of the air brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine , who turned out to be an agent of Russian intelligence. The suspect was preparing strikes on Ukrainian airfields where F-16, Mirage 2000 and Su-24 aircraft are based.

Also follow “Pryamim” on Facebook , Twitter , Telegram , and Instagram.