News update
SBU Detains Pro-Russian Agitators Promoting Violence Against Captives
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained four pro-Russian agitators. They were accused of promoting violence against Ukrainian prisoners of war and inciting attacks on civilian areas.
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This page is updated as verified details move. The lead and top sections are tightened first when the clearest confirmed angle changes.
Photo: Ukrainska Pravda UA
At a glance
- SBU arrested four pro-Russian agitators promoting violence against POWs.
- A senior church official encouraged the torture of Ukrainian captives.
- Detainees face charges for advocating violence and justifying aggression.
- They may face up to ten years in prison with property confiscation.
- Arrests demonstrate efforts to counteract pro-Russian sentiments in Ukraine.
Why it matters
The arrests reflect Ukraine's commitment to combating pro-Russian propaganda and violence. Addressing these sentiments is critical for maintaining national security and supporting the rule of law.
https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2026/04/25/8031748/
What Happened
On April 25, 2023, the SBU announced the arrest of four individuals supporting Russia's military aggression. These individuals encouraged torture of Ukrainian prisoners and attacks on civilian populations through various channels, including Telegram.
Key Details
The arrests featured a senior deacon of a church affiliated with the Kyiv Metropolitanate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). This cleric allegedly used Telegram chats to incite violence against detained Ukrainian soldiers.
He urged adversaries to imprison Ukrainian military personnel in Russian prisons, depriving them of basic necessities like food and water, and suggested sending them for forced labor. Another detainee is an archimandrite from the Dnipropetrovsk region, previously the head of a church in the Sievierodonetsk diocese.
He reportedly traveled to Russia for meetings with representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church after parts of Luhansk were seized in 2014. Upon his return to Ukraine, he conducted religious services while inciting parishioners to support the Kremlin’s initiatives.
Meanwhile, in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, a woman was detained for promoting Soviet symbols and encouraging the revival of the Soviet Union through her social media posts. The SBU formally notified the detainees of suspicions related to spreading communist symbols and justifying Russian military aggression.
They face up to ten years of imprisonment, along with property confiscation.
Why It Matters
These arrests signal ongoing efforts by Ukrainian authorities to counteract pro-Russian sentiments within the country. The promotion of violence against POWs and the justification of military aggression are serious offenses under Ukrainian law, reflecting the ongoing tension and conflict within the region.
Background
Ukraine has been grappling with pro-Russian sentiments among certain segments of its population since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The SBU regularly conducts operations against individuals promoting pro-Russian propaganda.
This latest round of arrests highlights the continuing challenges Ukraine faces with internal dissent amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, exacerbated by the war’s pressures on civil society and national security objectives.
Source: Ukrainska Pravda UA
This report is maintained as a live newsroom article. Headlines and top paragraphs may be tightened when fresh reporting changes the clearest angle.
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