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# Former OCU Bishop Sentenced for Faking Clergy Documents
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/former-ocu-bishop-sentenced-for-faking-clergy-documents/
- Published: 2026-10-09T20:28:35.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-09T20:59:15.000Z
- Description: Kyrylo Mykhailiuk received three years of probation after admitting to issuing fictitious deacon documents to 291 conscripts seeking to avoid mobilization.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Ukraine, Court ruling, OCU, Crime, Territorial Recruitment Center, War in Ukraine

**KALUSH, UKRAINE —** A Ukrainian court [has sentenced](https://zaxid.net/yepiskopa%5Fptsu%5Fsudili%5Fza%5Fvigotovlennya%5Ffiktivnih%5Fdokumentiv%5Fdiyakona%5Fdlya%5F291%5Fuhilyanta%5Fn1647422) Kyrylo Mykhailiuk, formerly the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s (OCU) Bishop of Uzhhorod-Khust, to five years in prison for obstructing the lawful activities of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, but suspended his imprisonment and placed him on probation for three years after he pleaded guilty.

According to a verdict issued by the Kalusky City District Court on October 5, Mykhailiuk organized the production of fictitious documents declaring 291 military-age men to be deacons between June 2023 and November 2025\. Investigators said the documents were used to register the men as clergy and prevent their mobilization.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/05/87190-metropolitan-found-guilty-of-religious-incitement-4239429f6a98.jpg)On this topicUOC Metropolitan Found Guilty of Religious Incitement for Homily on Protecting Churches](https://uoj.news/news/87190-metropolitan-found-guilty-of-religious-incitement/)

The scheme involved forged deacon certificates and letters of appointment printed by a private company, while the eparchy’s website published claims that the men had undergone ordination. Mykhailiuk also reportedly accompanied some of the men to territorial recruitment centers, where he vouched for the documents’ authenticity. According to the reports, the men paid between $1,000 and $2,000 for the documents, with additional payments for Mykhailiuk’s personal assistance.

The court approved a plea agreement under which Mykhailiuk admitted guilt and agreed to cooperate with investigators. In determining the sentence, it considered his remorse, assistance to the investigation, lack of prior convictions, disability, and a charitable contribution of 500,000 hryvnias to Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

The OCU’s Synod had dismissed Mykhailiuk from administering the Uzhhorod-Khust Diocese in February 2026\. The verdict may still be appealed.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/ugcc-leader-condemns-evasion-of-military-mobilization/) that the UGCC leader condemned evasion of military mobilization.