UOC Priest Reportedly Detained Despite Disabled Child

BUBNOVA SLOBIDKA, UKRAINE — Officers of the Zolotonosha Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) have reportedly detained Archpriest Andrei Kononenko, rector of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s (UOC) St. Nicholas Church in Bubnova Slobidka, Cherkasy Oblast, despite his official deferment from mobilization.

According to the First Cossack Telegram channel, Fr. Andrei visited the recruitment center to update his personal information. The priest reportedly has a deferment because he cares for a child with a disability, and the channel said the exemption was also recorded in Ukraine’s Reserve+ system.

The report alleges that TRC officers refused to recognize the deferment and described the child’s medical condition as “fake.” The priest was then reportedly taken against his will to the city of Cherkasy.

According to the same source, Fr. Andrei has refused to sign documents presented to him. Officers allegedly threatened to involve the Security Service of Ukraine and accuse him of “inciting mobilized men to revolt,” while stating that they intended to mobilize him regardless of his deferment.

The report also noted that St. Nicholas Church was seized by supporters of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in 2025. The Telegram channel said Fr. Andrei had previously received threats from local activists opposed to the UOC.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a UOC protodeacon was pepper-sprayed and injured in the ribs during mobilization.