UOC: Metropolitan Onufriy does not have a Russian passport

Metropolitan Onufriy of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), based in Kyiv, does not possess Russian or any other passport besides the Ukrainian one.

This was stated by the religious organization, according to the Ukrainian outlet Suspilne, via its Telegram channel.

“Church representative Klyment said that Onufriy has never applied to any other country, including the Russian Federation, for citizenship,” the report reads.

The UOC representative also emphasized that the Metropolitan intends to defend his rights as a Ukrainian citizen and has the right to appeal the decree revoking his citizenship. He noted that the decision is “subject to certain legal doubt.”

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree revoking Metropolitan Onufriy’s citizenship. According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), he allegedly obtained a Russian passport in 2002.