OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media

Participants in the scandal near the seized UOC church in Bykivnia. Photo: Horobtsov's Facebook

The OCU raiders who seized St. John's Church of the UOC in the Bykivnia district of Kyiv attempted to stage a scandal on the eve of a court hearing in the case concerning the seizure of the place of worship, reports the Telegram channel "DOZOR on Pershyi Kozatskyi."

The alleged attack on the church was announced by the Donetsk OCU "metropolitan" Serhiy Horobtsov, who turned the seized church into his warehouse and headquarters. According to him, unknown individuals "kicked the church fence, threw stones at the church gates, attempting to enter the church grounds," and shouted “Akhmat is strong,” along with something about Rus’ and St. Seraphim of Sarov, which he allegedly could not make out. According to his version of events, all of the attackers were intoxicated. He also said that the police who arrived at the scene did not detain anyone, after which he called the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to the church grounds.

Sources within the UOC parish claim that the "unknown attackers" are several local residents suffering from alcohol and drug addiction, whose drunken disturbances beneath the church windows occur on a regular basis.

"Horobtsov's story raises serious doubts, because our sources find it hard to believe that these individuals suddenly began shouting about Rus' and Seraphim of Sarov instead of their usual profanities," the statement reads.

Parishioners also report that before the incident, on September 1, 2026, they saw one of the OCU activists handing money to these individuals near a supermarket. UOC faithful believe the scandal was orchestrated by the raiders to pressure the public and draw attention ahead of the court hearings on the case of the church seizure.

As the UOJ reported, the OCU showed how the doors of the Kyiv church in Bykivnia were cut off.

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