SBU exposes pro-Russian clergy in Odesa: propaganda, collaboration links, and threats to national security
As part of a large-scale counterintelligence operation, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) uncovered and detained two members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate in Odesa, who actively propagated pro-Russian ideas and attempted to justify Russian aggression against Ukraine.
One of them, a 58-year-old priest from the Odesa diocese, during interactions with parishioners, glorified Russian invaders, promoted ideas of Ruscism, and demeaned representatives of other churches.
He maintained close contacts with ex-member of the Party of Regions, Igor Markov, who is currently hiding in Russia and suspected of treason.
Additionally, the cleric was linked with Valery Kaurov — a collaborator who fled to Russia in 2014 and proclaimed the creation of “Novorossiya — Odesa People’s Republic”.
Under Kaurov’s orders, the priest and his daughter took photos on empty streets of Odesa, staging images with fake calls for city occupation, which were later circulated through Russian propaganda channels and Telegram bots, presented as local pro-Russian insurgent activities.
These fabricated stories were used to justify Russia’s military actions and were broadcasted on Russian TV and messaging platforms, creating an illusion of widespread pro-Russian underground activity in Ukraine.
Furthermore, investigations revealed that in Kyiv, an FSB agent was detained for espionage related to railway infrastructure, setting up ‘video traps’ to spy on Ukrainian state facilities.
The second detainee, a 44-year-old protopriest, justified Russian shelling of Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure in his sermons, contributing to destabilization efforts.
Expert linguistic analyses confirmed that both clergy members were engaged in disinformation activities benefiting the aggressor country.
They face suspicion under Ukrainian criminal law for incitement of aggression and violating the principle of equal rights based on religion.
Both suspects could face up to eight years in prison with property confiscation.
Earlier reports indicated that in Dnipro region, counterintelligence agents detained a Russian informant who used Telegram channels to seek profit and collaborated with the enemy.