Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine carry out counterintelligence activities at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in the Zhytomyr, Rivne and Transcarpathian oblasts. This is reported by the press service of the SBU.
"The events are being held jointly with the National Police and the National Guard - as part of the systematic work of the Security Service of Ukraine to counter the subversive activities of russian special services in our state", - the message said.
In particular, searches are being carried out at the following sites:
▪️ St. Nicholas Monastery of the Khust diocese of the UOC (MP) in Transcarpathia;
▪️ St. Anastasius Stauropegic Convent (Zhytomyr);
▪️ Skete of the St. Anastasius Stauropegial Convent (Zhytomyr district);
▪️ Skete of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God of the Chopovichi Athos Icon of the Mother of God of the Women's Stauropegial Monastery (Zhytomyr district);
▪️ Rivne-Ostroh diocese, Gorodok convent, St. George's Compound, Church of All Volyn Saints, Holy Resurrection Church, Holy Dormition Church (Rivne oblast).
"Given the armed aggression of the russian federation, these measures are being taken, among other things, to prevent the use of religious communities as a cell of the "Russian world" and to protect the population from provocations and terrorist acts", - the SBU writes.
It is noted that with the direct participation of representatives of the church, law enforcement officers conduct an inspection of the territory and premises (including of a hotel type) to identify persons involved in illegal activities to the detriment of the state sovereignty of Ukraine and items prohibited for circulation.
All actions are performed within the framework of the current legislation.
"We emphasize once again: in its activities, the SBU acts solely within the framework of the Constitution of Ukraine and the current legislation, and also respects the rights of every citizen to freedom of choice of religion and worldview", - the SBU emphasizes.
As previously reported, the NSDC instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to propose to the Verkhovna Rada to ban in Ukraine the activities of religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence in russia.