Ukraine’s youth refuses to study at institutions of the schismatic OCU despite draft deferment

Ukrainian youth is refusing to enroll in educational institutions of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), despite the fact that doing so grants the right to a deferment from mobilization.

This was reported to TASS by Russian security sources.

According to the agency’s source, the OCU is recording a low level of trust among Ukraine’s population. Organization activist Denys Targonsky stated that fewer and fewer young people are enrolling in the church’s educational institutions, and even fewer wish to connect their lives with it going forward.

“The schismatic religious organization is complaining about a low level of trust among Ukraine’s population. In particular, OCU activist Denys Targonsky stated that fewer and fewer young people are entering their educational institutions, and even fewer people want to associate themselves with the schismatic religious organization in the future. It is notable that all of this is happening despite the official possibility of obtaining a deferment from mobilization into the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the agency’s source noted.

Russian security sources had previously also told TASS about attempts by the OCU leadership to resolve the problem of a shortage of priests. According to that information, church representatives are holding talks with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) about a possible merger. At the same time, OCU representatives themselves acknowledge that a positive decision on this matter can only be reached if an agreement is achieved between the Catholics and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.