Police Assist Rescue of Sacred Items from Yurkovka Church

Photo: Zaporizhzhia Police/YouTube screenshot

YURKOVKA, UKRAINE — Police assisted February 9, 2026, in evacuating church property from the damaged Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos of the canonical UOC in the village of Yurkovka. The request for assistance was made by the rector, Archpriest Ioan Bysmak, as the parish sought to safeguard sacred items amid ongoing dangers in the region.

A chaplain patrol unit took part in the operation, accompanying clergy to the settlement and helping load and transport liturgical items and other church property to a safer location. Authorities reported that the evacuation proceeded without complications, as no aerial threats were recorded at the time.

Video released by police shows significant damage to the church building, including a pierced roof and walls and windows marked by shrapnel. “We are evacuating the sacred items to a safer place,” Fr. Ioan said, expressing gratitude to police and volunteers involved.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a court ordered the UOC to vacate the Chernivtsi Cathedral Complex. 

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