Pressure from the authorities continues: The Security Service of Ukraine conducted searches in a Ukrainian Orthodox Church monastery in the center of Kyiv

Pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) continues, as early in the morning on September 18, officers of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted searches at the Svyato-Vvedensky Monastery of the UOC in Kyiv.

According to media reports, the searches are connected to suspicions of spreading alleged Russian propaganda and supporting aggression against Ukraine. The monastery is suspected of having ties with pro-Russian elements and of the clergy showing sympathy towards Russia.

The Security Service of Ukraine is actively working to identify and eliminate agents who may be collaborating with Russia under the guise of religious organizations.

As of the time of publication, law enforcement authorities had not officially commented on these searches.

It is known that on August 20, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed law No. 8371, which prohibits the activities of certain religious organizations in Ukraine, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This decision, supported by 265 deputies, aims to limit the influence of religious structures subordinate to centers of influence in Russia and may lead to the cessation of activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.