SBU Accuses Patriarch Kirill of Russia: Violating Ukraine’s Territorial Sovereignty and Endorsing Aggression

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, also known as Vladimir Gundyayev, has been served with a notice of suspicion under articles on violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity and justifying Russia’s armed aggression, according to Ukraine’s SBU security service said on Nov. 4.

The SBU and the Prosecutor General’s Office have gathered substantial evidence against Gundyayev, establishing his membership in the inner circle of the Kremlin’s top military and political leadership. He was one of the earliest public supporters of the full-scale Russian invasion.

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With control over Russian Orthodox Church congregations in Russia and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church — Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) representatives in Ukraine, Gundyayev extensively disseminated Russian propaganda and Kremlin narratives through his online sermons and video commentaries.

Learn more: Ukraine’s parliament votes to ban the Moscow Patriarchate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for its ties to the Kremlin

In March 2022, the UOC-MP website published an “article” in which Gundyayev blessed the commander of the Russian National Guard, Viktor Zolotov, for the war against Ukraine.

Furthermore, in late February 2023, the ROC’s official YouTube channel shared a video featuring Gundyayev justifying the Russian occupation of eastern Ukraine.

He frequently provided comments to Russian TV propagandists, supporting the Kremlin’s aggressive policies and urging believers to unite in the war against Ukraine.

The SBU’s investigation has confirmed his criminal activities. Gundyayev has been indicted under the following sections of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

Part 3 of Article 110 (Violating the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine);

Part 3 of Article 436-2 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);

Part 5 of Article 27 and Part 2 of Article 437 (planning, preparation, unleashing and waging of an aggressive war).

“Comprehensive measures are being taken to bring the perpetrator to justice for crimes against our state,” said the SBU.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine