SBU notifies ROC metropolitan of suspicion in absentia

Metropolitan Mark of Viatka and Sloboda. Photo: St. Petersburg Eparchy

On June 18, 2026, the Security Service of Ukraine notified Metropolitan Mark of Viatka and Sloboda of suspicion in absentia. The agency claims the hierarch was involved in providing material support to Russian troops.

According to investigators, the metropolitan publicly supported the actions of the Russian Federation and organized systematic collections of funds, medicines and equipment for the army’s needs.

The SBU says that, at the initiative and with the personal participation of the hierarch, off-road vehicles, generators and food were handed over to the military. The security service also accused Metropolitan Mark of visiting territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions that are outside Ukraine’s control.

Based on the collected materials, law enforcement officers opened criminal proceedings under parts 2 and 3 of Article 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which concerns financing actions committed with the aim of violent change or overthrow of the constitutional order or seizure of state power.

The SBU is currently carrying out comprehensive measures to bring the hierarch to justice.

As the UOJ reported, the SBU notified the chief military chaplain of the ROC of suspicion.

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