Orthodox PVC: The Russian Church creates military formations for war against Ukraine - SBU

According to the SBU, when recruiting in Orthodox, private military companies prefer men who have combat experience. The Security Service of Ukraine exposed the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) on the formation of its own military companies in the Russian Federation. This was reported on October 19 by the SBU official website.

As noted in the information, these private military companies (PECs), at the instructions of the Moscow Patriarchate, are recruited and combat training for mercenaries for war against Ukraine. "It is documented that one of such private military companies called" Andreevsky Cross "operates on the basis of the Kronstadt Sea Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

In the walls of the religious institution, its representatives recall parishioners for further inclusion in the occupation groups - specifies the SBU. Potential "candidates" are dominated by men who have already served in the Russian army, including participating in hostilities. According to the Security Service, the mercenaries subsequently undergo military-tactical and fire training under the guidance of instructors from Russian special services.

"For masking combat training, their organizers carry out preparation of" recruits "exclusively in the walls of the cathedral, as well as on special landfills of the Russian Federation," - informs the SBU. In addition, sources of financing such PECs have been established-now the funds are provided by representatives of financial and industrial groups of the aggressor country, close to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin.

"Money is coming to the accounts of the ROC in the form of charitable contributions and donations for" construction "temples," the information states. On the basis of documented facts, the Security Service takes comprehensive measures to establish all the circumstances of crimes and prosecute the perpetrators.

Since the beginning of the full -scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, 68 criminal proceedings have been launched against representatives of the UOC (MP), of which 16 are the Metropolitan of Churches. Among the crimes, there are 20 facts of state betrayal, collaboration and absence of aggressor country.

In addition, law enforcement officers are investigating 18 proceedings regarding the ignition of religious hatred, as well as the sale of firearms and the spread of child pornography. As a result of operational and investigative actions, 26 persons involved in the UOC (MP) were reported suspicion, and 19 other attackers have already received court sentences.

We will remind, Focus wrote on October 19 that the Verkhovna Rada in the first reading supported the ban on religious organizations related to the ROC. In addition, Focus reported that the SBU occasionally tells the detention of churchmen related to the UOC -MP, on suspicion of working on the Russian Federation or other unlawful acts. For example, in September, they detained the rector of the temple from Kherson region, who traded Russian weapons.