Kyiv Court Hearing on Upper Lavra Draws Supporters and Radicals

KYIV — As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, a court hearing concerning the Upper Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was underway on Wednesday, with believers, lawyers, and anti-church activists reportedly admitted to the courtroom at the same time. Supporters of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) had been urged to attend the hearing peacefully as the court considers a case concerning the monastery.

According to the First Cassock Telegram channel, footage from inside the courtroom showed believers and a group described by the channel as provocateurs present during the proceedings. The report said anti-church activists were standing near the wall, including Davyd Pshenychnyi, whom the channel identified as a participant in the 2025 storming of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy.

The channel also reported that Ostapenko, identified as the head of the state preserve at the Lavra, was present in the courtroom. Outside the hearing room, tensions reportedly continued as radicals attempted to provoke believers gathered in the courthouse.

According to the report, police intervened when confrontations began and attempted to prevent the situation from escalating. The channel claimed some of those involved became angry with officers and issued threats, including demands that police officers “leave the country.”

Pshenychnyi was specifically accused by the channel of personally provoking and threatening believers. Supporters of the UOC have been urged to remain calm and document any incidents as the hearing continues.

Previously, the UOJ reported on another incident that involved Pshenychnyi, this one regarding the legal battle in the case to dissolve the UOC's Kyiv Metropolis.