The Security Service of Ukraine in cooperation with the National Police has detained the abbot of one of the churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in the Kherson region. He was involved in underground arms and ammunition trading, which had been left behind by Russian forces during their retreat from Ukrainian counteroffensives.
It has been documented that the cleric stored enemy arsenals in two hideouts, one of which was located on the construction site of a new church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Kherson.
SSU officers apprehended him "in the act" by progressively documenting his attempt to sell two portable anti-aircraft missile complexes "Igla" along with their components.
As an "addition" to these MANPADs, the priest also "offered" to sell ammunition for handheld anti-tank grenade launchers RPG-7.
The seller, dressed in a cassock, estimated the cost of such weapons at 115,000 hryvnias in equivalent currency.
It has been established that the suspect found his clients through his own connections, including criminal networks.
The presence of weapons in the hands of criminal elements could have led to an escalation of the internal situation in Kherson, including attempts at provocations by Russian special services.
During the inspection of the hideout located on the construction site of the new church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Kherson, 5 rounds and 2 explosive charges for grenade launchers were confiscated.
The second hideout was set up in the basement of a nine-story building. There, the priest stored:
- a machine gun and Kalashnikov rifle with accessories;
- 3 combat grenades F-1;
- nearly 7,000 rounds of ammunition for automatic weapons, including large-caliber types.
Currently, the suspect has been informed of the suspicion under Article 263, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (illegal handling of weapons, ammunition, or explosives). The court has ordered his detention pending trial.
The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime. The perpetrator could face up to 7 years in prison.
All the seized weapons and ammunition are being sent for expert examination and will be subsequently handed over for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
