In Odesa, a priest of the Russian church was convicted for justifying aggression against Ukraine

The Peresypskyi District Court of Odesa found the priest guilty of justifying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and humiliating national honor and dignity.

According to the court' s verdict, the priest was sentenced to five years in prison, but commuted to three years of probation.

According to the investigation, the priest held the rank of archpriest of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church and had pro-Russian views and beliefs.

In particular, from November 2024 to early March 2025, the convict in the cabin of his car, in conversations with his wife and friends, spoke insultingly and humiliatingly about Ukrainians and expressed support for Russia, using foul language. Records of these conversations are available in the case file.

He also called Ukraine "Ukropia", criticized the demolition of monuments, claiming that the population was intimidated, called activists Nazis, and Russia a rich country with imperial intentions that would take over Poland and Finland.

At the trial, the priest pleaded guilty to the charges in full, but noted that he believed that Russia was carrying out military aggression against Ukraine and that he personally had simply succumbed to propaganda. He also promised that if he remained free, he would help the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with money or otherwise. He repented of his actions.

Meanwhile, the Security Service of Ukraine detained two men in Odesa who are suspected of spreading hostile propaganda, justifying Russia's war in Ukraine and praising Russians. Among the detainees was a 58-year-old priest of a church in the Odesa diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate. During conversations with parishioners, he glorified the occupiers and insulted the religious beliefs of believers of other faiths.

Кирило Бойко