UOC Monk Remains Missing Three Months After Reported Abduction

LYMAN, UKRAINE — As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, for a third consecutive month, there has been no information about the fate of Archimandrite Avakum, a resident of the Protection Monastery in Lyman, Donetsk Region, who was reportedly abducted by unidentified men wearing military uniforms.

According to sources cited by Pershyi Kozatskyi, reports concerning the archimandrite’s disappearance were submitted to police, the State Bureau of Investigation, the prosecutor’s office, and other law enforcement agencies. Despite the reports, authorities have apparently not provided information regarding his whereabouts or condition.

The circumstances surrounding the disappearance have also raised concerns about communications at the monastery. Sources said that representatives of the 3rd Assault Corps arrived at the monastery after Archimandrite Avakum disappeared.

The military representatives reportedly confiscated the monks’ mobile phones and took the monastery’s Starlink terminal. As a result, the monastery was left with virtually no means of communication with the outside world.

The continued lack of information has left the fate of Archimandrite Avakum unknown for approximately three months. The reports submitted to law enforcement agencies have so far not resulted in publicly available information establishing what happened to the monk or where he is being held.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a UOC Metropolitan was detained for hours and had his passport seized in Kyiv.