Acting under the cover of the UOC (MP) and spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda: the largest FSB agent network was exposed in Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
In Kyiv, a criminal organization engaged in information sabotage in favor of the FSB was neutralized. More than 15 members, including the rector of the Kyiv church of the UOC (MP), were detained for spreading pro-Kremlin narratives, inciting religious hatred and justifying Russia's war against Ukraine.
In Kyiv, a criminal organization that was conducting information sabotage commissioned by the FSB was neutralized. The attackers massively produced and "dispersed" pro-Kremlin narratives and provocative messages that were supposed to destabilize the socio-political situation and incite religious hatred in Ukraine, UNN reports with reference to the SBU.
According to the SBU, more than 15 members of the group, including four key figures, have already been detained. Among them is one of the leaders of the capital's UOC (MP) church, who was a member of the Russian secret service's intelligence apparatus.
It is currently one of the largest FSB networks that has operated in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. It had a clear hierarchy and division of functions, as well as constant communication with the largest Russian media, which immediately picked up the "necessary" content.
According to the investigation, the network's coordinator in Ukraine was a cleric detained by the SBU. He was responsible for disseminating materials that incited interfaith hatred and justified an aggressive war against Ukraine.
For this purpose, the defendant personally instructed the "executors" - other members of the criminal organization, who acted under the guise of "political experts" and prepared provocative posts and videos.
The prepared content was distributed through dozens of controlled channels on Telegram and YouTube, as well as on Facebook pages and official websites of various dioceses of the UOC (MP).
"Immediately after the publication of the 'ordered' materials, they were immediately 'picked up' by central TV channels and online media outlets of the Russian Federation to spread fakes about Ukraine.
By carrying out information attacks, the enemy hoped not only to undermine the socio-political situation in Ukraine, but also to discredit our country in the international arena, especially in the eyes of Western partners," the statement said.
During searches at the suspects' residences in Kyiv, the SBU found mobile phones and computer equipment used in criminal activities in favor of the aggressor country.
Based on the collected evidence, four detainees and ten other members of the criminal organization were served a notice of suspicion under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
▪️ ч. 2, Art. 111 (high treason committed under martial law);
▪️ part 6 of Art. 111-1 (collaboration activities);
▪️ ч. 4 of Art. 28, part 1, part 2 of Art. 255 (creation and participation in a criminal organization);
▪️ ч. 3, Art. 161 (incitement to religious hatred and enmity committed by an organized group);
▪️ chap. 1, 2 436-2 (justifying, recognizing as lawful, denying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine).
The issue of choosing a custody as a measure of restraint is currently being decided. The investigation is ongoing to establish all the circumstances of the crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The offenders face life imprisonment.
