The Security Service of Ukraine has detained the rector of one of the churches in the Kharkiv Diocese of the UOC (MP), who is suspected of working for the Russian forces.
According to case materials, the suspect, on orders from the Russian Federation, was leaking information about the Defense Forces in the region. Specifically, he attempted to determine the approximate number of personnel and available weaponry at Ukrainian checkpoints near Kharkiv.
Additionally, the priest was tracking the movement of Ukrainian military equipment towards the front lines.
The information he gathered was sent to the aggressor via a messenger app, marked on Google Maps, with detailed descriptions.
It is believed that the Russian forces planned to use this intelligence to prepare missile and airstrikes on locations of the Defense Forces involved in protecting Kharkiv.
The Security Service acted proactively and prevented Russian attacks by exposing the Russian informant in time, documenting his crimes, and arresting him.
According to the investigation, the 43-year-old priest began carrying out the Russian force's tasks in October 2024. He was born in Melitopol and lived in Russia from 2009 to 2018.
He later moved to Kharkiv, where he worked as an IT specialist at the diocesan administration of the UOC (MP) and was appointed rector of a local church.
During a search of the detainee, mobile phone evidence of his collaboration with the Russians was found, along with Russian rubles and Kremlin awards.
The Security Service investigators have informed the suspect of charges under Part 2 of Article 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized dissemination of information about the movement, location, or positioning of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the possibility of identifying them on the ground).
The offender is currently in custody, facing up to 8 years in prison.
