Ukrainian security service inspect Ivano-Frankivsk’s Nativity of Christ church

Agents of the Ukrainian Security Service and police officers are inspecting the Nativity of Christ church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) (formally part of the Russian Orthodox Church. However, in May, UOC-MP declared itself to be a fully independent entity — translator’s note) in Ivano-Frankivsk, the security service reports.

The security agents are said to carry out a “counterintelligence operation” to thwart subversions of Russian special services in Ukraine.

“Law enforcement officers are inspecting the territory and rooms of the church with a direct involvement of church representatives to discover banned items and are checking if people congregating there are involved in unlawful activities,” the statement reads.

This week, the Ukrainian security service conducted several searches in UOC-MP dioceses. Ternopil diocese Bishop Job (Smakouz) was found in possession of Russian literature which is believed to be “praising imperialism”, his gadgets were seized according to Babel.

“He used it all to engage in propaganda of Russian values and campaigning against Ukraine,” the media outlet writes.

Secretary of the Chernivtsi and Bukovina diocese Nikita (Storozhuk) was also targeted with a search. According to media, a 17-year old male teenager was found in his underwear in his room. The secretary claims that the security service agents undressed and photographed everyone themselves.

Ukrainian Security Service officers discovered pro-Russian literature and 2 million hryvnia in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The service reported finding the literature that was used in lessons in the seminary and diocese schools, “particularly to advance the Russian World propaganda”.