DESS finds signs of ROC affiliation in UOC Boryspil Eparchy

DESS head Viktor Yelensky. Photo: sobor.com.ua

The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) announced that it had completed an investigation into the administration of the Boryspil Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) to determine whether it is affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activities are banned in Ukraine. According to the findings of the investigation, DESS allegedly determined that signs of such affiliation are present.

The investigation has been ongoing since August 24, 2026.

In particular, the agency determined that the administration of the Boryspil Eparchy is a structural subdivision of the UOC and is part of the Kyiv Metropolis. Following the officials' logic, since they consider the Kyiv Metropolis to be affiliated with the ROC, all structures within it are also affiliated, including the Boryspil Eparchy.

The officials also referenced the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church in their conclusion. They identified as a sign of affiliation the fact that this document provides for the head of the Boryspil Eparchy to be included in the statutory governing bodies of the ROC.

As the UOJ reported, the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC filed a lawsuit against the Cabinet of Ministers after it had previously been recognized as affiliated with the ROC following a similar examination. The court proceedings in this case are ongoing. More than 10,000 UOC believers filed applications to defend the Kyiv Metropolis.

Read also