UOC Priest Forcefully Detained for Military Service

Abducted priest Oleksandr Zhuk. Photo: Rivne Eparchy Press Service

RIVNE, Ukraine — Archpriest Oleksandr Zhuk, a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and rector of the Church of the Holy Great Martyr Paraskeva in the village of Viliia, was detained on the evening of June 11, 2025, by representatives of the Sarny Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC), according to the Rivne Eparchy press service.

Following his detention in Rivne, Fr. Oleksandr was taken to a military medical commission, where he underwent an overnight examination before being sent directly to a military unit. The eparchy emphasized that this incident is not isolated and accused the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) of implementing a discriminatory mobilization policy that disproportionately targets UOC clergy.

They claim that while priests of the UOC are being conscripted, members of other religious groups are routinely granted deferments. 

“These events are deeply concerning, as they may indicate religious discrimination and denominational bias, which directly contradict the Constitution of Ukraine and the principles of freedom of religion,” the eparchy stated.

The UOC has called for prayers for Fr. Oleksandr and all clergy facing similar pressure. 

Previously, UOJ reported that the abbot of the renowned Holy Spirit Skete of Pochaiv in Kremenets was also detained by local military authorities.

Read also