The SBU has detained the head of a church in the Kharkiv Diocese of the UOC (MP) for collaborating with Russian intelligence services.

The Security Service of Ukraine has exposed the rector of one of the churches in the Kharkiv Diocese of the UOC (MP), who is suspected of collaborating with Russian special services. According to the investigation, the man was transmitting information about the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the region to the aggressor.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing the press service of the SBU.

The cleric was gathering data on the number of Ukrainian soldiers, their armaments at checkpoints near Kharkiv, and the routes of movement for the Armed Forces of Ukraine towards the front. He relayed the gathered information through messengers, sending Google Maps markers with detailed descriptions.

These intelligence data were intended for use by the occupiers in preparation for missile and bombing strikes on the positions of the Defense Forces. Thanks to the prompt actions of the SBU, potential attacks were prevented, the informant's crimes were documented, and he was apprehended.

The 43-year-old detainee is a native of Melitopol. He was in the territory of the Russian Federation from 2009 to 2018 and then settled in Kharkiv, where he worked as an IT specialist for the diocesan administration of the UOC (MP) and became the rector of a local church.

During searches, law enforcement seized a mobile phone containing evidence of collaboration with Russian special services, as well as Russian rubles and Kremlin awards.

The man has been informed of suspicion under part 2 of Article 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized dissemination of information about the movement of the Armed Forces, which can be identified on the ground). He is currently in custody and could face up to 8 years in prison.

Photo: The SBU has detained the rector of a church in the Kharkiv Diocese of the UOC (MP), who was working for Russian special services (t.me/SBUkr)

We remind you that the SBU and National Police detained a group of young people in Odesa who were preparing terrorist acts in Ukraine on behalf of Russia. It is noted that the suspects had already carried out one explosion in Kyiv. According to sources from RBK-Ukraine, this refers to an explosion in the Darnytskyi district of the capital.