Pro-Russian literature, millions in cash, and “dubious” Russian citizens found on the premises of the Moscow-linked church

Per counterintelligence measures, pro-Russian literature, cash in various currencies worth millions of hryvnias, as well as citizens with outdated or forged documents, were discovered at the facilities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), the Security Service of Ukraine reports.

The pro-Russian literature discovered during the operation completed today is used in the educational process in the seminary and parish schools, in particular, to promote the “Russian world.”

The seized cash amounted to more than 2 million hryvnias, more than $100,000, and several thousand Russian rubles.

In the course of the operation, which was carried out in cooperation with the National Police and the National Guard, more than 350 church buildings and 850 people were thoroughly checked in the territories of the Holy Dormition Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, as well as the Korets Nunnery and the premises of the Sarny-Polissia Eparchy of the UOC-MP in Rivne Oblast.

More than 50 people underwent in-depth counterintelligence interviews using a polygraph. Along with Ukrainian citizens, these include foreigners, in particular citizens of the Russian Federation also found on the premises. Some of them provided passports and military conscription documents from the times of the U.S.S.R., some did not have original documents, but their copies instead; some had Ukrainian passports with signs of forgery or damage.

A 32-year-old citizen of Ukraine, who is suspected of involvement in the illegal activities of the pro-Russian information agency Antvan, was also on the territory of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.

The SSU emphasizes that in its activities it adheres to the principle of impartiality to any religious denomination and respects the right of every citizen to freedom of worldview and religion, as defined by the Constitution of Ukraine.