Photo: Security Service of Ukraine
Ukraine's Security Service detains pro-Russian cleric accused of guiding Russian ballistic strikes on Odesa
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained a cleric of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate suspected of directing a double-tap Iskander-M missile strike on Odesa in March 2024 and of passing coordinates of Ukrainian air defence positions and data on energy infrastructure
Ukrainska Pravda
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The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained a cleric of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate suspected of directing a double-tap Iskander-M missile strike on Odesa in March 2024 and of passing coordinates of Ukrainian air defence positions and data on energy infrastructure facilities in Odesa Oblast.
Source: Security Service of Ukraine
Details: Investigators have established that the detainee provided Russian forces with coordinates for a double-tap strike on a recreational area in Odesa in March 2024.
At the time, Russian troops attacked the city with two Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
The first missile struck residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure facilities.
Russian forces then launched a repeat strike on the same area after first responders had arrived.
The SSU believes that after the attack, the cleric passed data on the aftermath of the strike to Russian military intelligence and then went into hiding to avoid detection.
Investigators believe the man was recruited through his activity on Telegram channels, where he posted pro-Kremlin comments.
Quote from the SSU: "After being recruited, the priest, still wearing his clerical robe, walked around the city marking the geolocations of potential targets on Google Maps.
He passed the collected intelligence through a chatbot administered by traitor Sergei Lebedev, known by the alias Lokhmatyi, who is hiding in Donetsk and works for Russian military intelligence."
More details: Investigators also believe the cleric provided Russian forces with the coordinates of Ukrainian air defence systems protecting Odesa Oblast from Russian strikes.
The Security Service also says the suspect passed data on an electrical substation near Odesa and its protection system to Russian intelligence services, later reporting the aftermath of a strike on the facility.
During searches, officers seized a smartphone believed to have been used for contact with Russian military intelligence and for transmitting intelligence.
The cleric has been charged with treason committed under martial law, and a court ordered him remanded in custody without bail.
He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Background: On 15 March 2024, Russian forces struck Odesa with an Iskander-M missile system. Fourteen people were killed, including local residents, a medic and a rescue worker. Forty-six others were injured, among them eight first responders.
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