UOC MP Priest Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Leaking Air Defense Data to Russians

As reported by Ukrinform, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has released information regarding the verdict handed down to a 41-year-old archpriest from one of the churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The man was found guilty of transferring data about the locations of military facilities in the territory of Shostka and the Shostkin district, which falls under part 2 of Article 114-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

The court sentenced the priest to five years of imprisonment. Prosecutors from the Sumy Regional Prosecutor's Office were able to prove that the accused, holding pro-Russian views, transmitted information about the locations of Ukrainian military facilities during private conversations through one of the messaging apps. He was particularly interested in the coordinates of air defense systems.

According to the case materials, the priest actively inquired local residents about the bases of Ukrainian defenders and the weapons they possessed. The information he gathered was sent to his interlocutor, specifying exact addresses where military assets used to repel enemy aerial attacks were located.

Law enforcement officers arrested the priest in September 2025, and he has been in custody since then. During a search, pro-Kremlin literature was discovered in his possession, as well as a smartphone containing evidence of his collaboration with the enemy.

In court, the accused admitted his guilt, stating that he sincerely regretted his actions. He explained that he was trying to protect his fellow villagers from attacks by Russian troops, as his contact in Russia promised to help avoid bombings and shelling. However, despite these promises, the invaders repeatedly attacked the village where the priest lived.

This case is not isolated. As reported by Ukrinform, in May 2025, a Russian agent was arrested in the Kyiv region and sentenced to 15 years in prison with property confiscation. This agent attempted to sabotage a freight train, indicating the activity of Russian intelligence networks on Ukrainian territory.

The situation surrounding these cases underscores the importance of combating hostile influences and betrayal in wartime conditions. Law enforcement agencies continue to work on identifying and neutralizing threats posed by Russian special services. Calls for caution and vigilance among the population remain relevant, as each case can have serious consequences for the country's security.

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