SSU exposes Russian agent priest in Zaporizhzhya

This was reported by the Security Service of Ukraine.

According to the investigation, during sermons, the priest justified Russia’s armed aggression and the war crimes of the occupation forces, seeking out individuals with pro-Russian sentiments among the local population. Later, he began recruiting them to work for the intelligence services of the aggressor state.

The SSU traced him after detaining a Russian fire spotter in the city, who has already been convicted. During interrogation, the spotter provided testimony regarding the priest, after which counterintelligence documented his subversive activities.

It was established that the cleric recruited a 41-year-old man mobilized to a local military unit.

Following instructions from Russian intelligence, he transmitted data on the location, numbers, and weaponry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhya direction, including information about his battalion, adjacent units, and photocopies of documents related to the deployment of new formations.

As the investigation revealed, the priest and the military man coordinated their actions with a resident (senior agent) from the 316th intelligence center of the Russian GRU. This individual turned out to be a former law enforcement officer from Zaporizhzhya who fled to the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine and began working for Russia.

During searches of the detainees, phones and computer equipment with evidence of crimes were found. Additionally, a Russian passport, ammunition for a Kalashnikov rifle, and cold weapons were discovered in the cleric’s possession.

SSU investigators informed both detainees of suspicion under five articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• high treason under martial law;

• encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine;

• actions against the constitutional order;

• justification, recognition as lawful, and denial of Russia’s armed aggression, as well as glorification of its participants;

• violation of citizens’ equality based on nationality or religion.

The suspects are being held in custody without the possibility of bail. They face up to 15 years in prison or life imprisonment.