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SSU uncovers GRU agent network in Zaporizhzhia coordinated by UOC-MP priest

Security Service of Ukraine

12:00, 13 August 2025

The SSU Military Counterintelligence, with the assistance of the Commander-in-Chief of the AFU, neutralized a network of russian military intelligence ('the GRU') in Zaporizhzhia.

According to the investigation, the enemy cell was coordinated by the rector of one of the local churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of moscow's patriarchate.

The cleric sought out pro-russian residents during his sermons, in which he justified russia's armed aggression and ruscists' war crimes. He then began recruiting potential candidates for the network.

The Security Service uncovered his criminal activities when an enemy spotter was detained in the city (he has already been sentenced to prison). This individual gave evidence against the clergyman, and since then the SSU has been documenting the priest.

It has been established that the church rector also recruited a 41-year-old man who had been mobilized into the local military unit.

Following instructions from the russian special services, the agent provided information about the location, strength, and armament of Ukrainian troops on Zaporizhzhia direction.

His 'reports' included information about his battalion and adjacent units, as well as photocopies of documents on the deployment of new Ukrainian AFU units on the front line.

The investigation revealed that the priest and the soldier coordinated their actions with a resident (senior agent) from the GRU's 316th intelligence center. He turned out to be a former law enforcement officer from Zaporizhzhia who fled to the temporarily occupied part of Ukraine and began working for russia.

Phones and computer equipment with evidence of crimes were found during the searches. The clergyman was also found to have a russian passport, ammunition for a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and cold weapons.

SSU investigators notified both detained individuals of suspicion under five Articles of the CCU, according to the actions committed:

• 111.2 (high treason, committed under martial law);
• 110.1, 110.2 (encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine);
• 109.2, 109.3 (actions aimed at forceful change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power);
• 436-2.1, 436-2.3 (justification, recognition as legitimate, denial of russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, glorification of its participants);
• 161.1 (violation of equality of citizens depending on their race, nationality, regional affiliation, and religious beliefs).

The suspects are in custody. The investigation is ongoing.

The special operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine.