Report: Multiple UOC Clerics Accosted at Checkpoint

Metr. Vladimir. Photo: Website of the Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy / Facebook

VOLODYMYR, UKRAINE — The Volodymyr-Volynskyi Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) reported that Metr. Vladimir and accompanying clergy were allegedly assaulted during an encounter with representatives of a mobile territorial recruitment checkpoint on the Rivne-Lutsk highway near the village of Derno.

According to the diocesan statement, Metr. Vladimir was traveling with Archpriest Alexander Kobenko and Dcn. Dmitry Manetskiy after returning from a church-related meeting when their vehicle was stopped. The diocese claimed that checkpoint personnel attempted to forcibly remove the Metropolitan from the vehicle without checking documents. When Fr. Alexander intervened, he was allegedly sprayed with pepper spray, forced to the ground, and beaten.

The statement further alleged that Metr. Vladimir suffered a heart attack due to stress from the incident, while Fr. Alexander experienced a severe allergic reaction to the spray. The diocese said police officers present did not intervene. Church officials later stated that the health of both clergymen had stabilized, while Metr. Vladimir urged clergy of the UOC to remain vigilant and cautious.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a UOC hierodeacon's whereabouts remain unknown after his detention.

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