The Ternopil Territorial Recruitment Center explained the mobilization of UOC priests by citing their lack of exemption

Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRCs) have the right to mobilize priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), as the state has not granted them exemptions.

This was reported by the Ternopil Territorial Recruitment Center while commenting on the mobilization of two priests.

“During the document check, it was determined that the priests had not exercised their right to deferment, were not officially exempt, and therefore are subject to mobilization on general grounds,” the agency explained.

They also noted that Ukrainian legislation does not provide absolute exemptions for any category of individuals from mobilization during martial law. Mobilization can only be avoided if there are lawful grounds for deferment or discharge.

It was previously reported that in the Ternopil region, Priest Ioann Koval was detained on his way to church and mobilized.