In Chernivtsi region, a military commissar broke into a UOC church and let activists inside

In Chernivtsi region, the deputy head of a local Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) broke down the doors of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) parish and let activists inside.

This was reported by the Union of Orthodox Journalists (SPZh).

According to SPZh, the incident took place on September 29 in the village of Nahoryany during the seizure of the Nativity Church.

Footage released shows a man breaking down the doors with a hammer. Local residents claim the man was Bohdan Handziuk, deputy head of the Kelmentsi TRC.

Earlier, media reported that in summer in Chernivtsi, the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC was seized by force. Two priests were severely beaten during the incident. Believers called an ambulance for the injured, and doctors evacuated them to trauma wards. The UOC press service published video footage of the storming of the cathedral.

Media also reported that last year law enforcement opened a criminal case on charges of arbitrariness over the seizure of a UOC church in Vinnytsia region. At the time, 40 unidentified men in camouflage stormed the Kazan Church of the UOC in the city of Ladyzhyn. They aggressively expressed dissatisfaction with UOC services, after which a conflict broke out.