A serious confrontation arose in the Center of Chernivtsi between supporters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, resulting in numerous injuries and disturbances
The incident occurred on June 17 near the Holy Spirit Cathedral during an attempted first prayer service in Ukrainian by Ukrainian Orthodox believers, which sparked outrage and active actions by supporters of the UOC-MP. According to official information from the Chernivtsi Region Police, as of now, 12 victims have sought medical assistance in the city's healthcare facilities, including not only civilians but also law enforcement officers and medical personnel. Specifically, seven police officers were injured during the clashes, and one medical worker was affected. Police reports indicate that there have been a total of 25 calls reporting events, including cases of bodily harm, the seizure of the church by unidentified individuals, obstacles to journalists' work, and damage to the property of the religious building. All these incidents are currently under investigation by law enforcement authorities. A representative of the Chernivtsi police stated that, as part of the investigation, administrative protocols have already been drawn up against some participants of the incident. For example, one young man involved in the mass disturbances has been held accountable under Article 173 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, "Minor Hooliganism." Procedural actions are ongoing, and the police are investigating acts of hooliganism and threats or the use of violence against police officers. The public confirms that additional checks are underway regarding other reports in order to establish all circumstances and qualify the actions of the participants. What was the cause of the conflict? On the eve of the event, supporters of the POCU decided to hold their first Ukrainian-language service in the Holy Spirit Cathedral located in the city center. This provoked concern among supporters of the UOC-MP, who began gathering from nearby areas and other settlements in the region to prevent this event. Participants of the disturbances attempted to break into the church, tearing down gates and trying to enter its territory. Meanwhile, law enforcement officers, tasked with maintaining order, prevented them from doing so by employing necessary measures to stop the confrontation. A significant number of witnesses and bystanders noted that the events were tense and emotionally charged, leading to mass clashes that resulted in several injuries and damage to the church property. The incident once again highlights the presence and escalation of religious conflicts in the region, which remain one of the current challenges for local authorities and law enforcement. Currently, law enforcement continues to clarify all circumstances of the conflict to determine the degree of responsibility of each participant and to prevent similar incidents in the future.