In Odesa, one of the most cynical spy schemes of recent months has been exposed. A local clergyman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate turned out to be an agent of Russian military intelligence. While he stood at the altar, his actions behind his back led to the deaths of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure.
Double Blow to Odesa
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) established the cleric's involvement in coordinating a double missile strike by Iskander-M ballistic missiles on the city in March 2024. The agent's scheme was worked out to the smallest detail: he transmitted coordinates by which the first missile hit residential buildings and civilian objects.
However, the crime did not end there. As soon as emergency services, rescuers, and medics arrived at the scene of the tragedy, a second strike was delivered to the same location. Hiding behind a church robe, the agent provided the enemy with information about the consequences of the first hit to finish off those trying to help the victims.
Church Robe and Google Maps
The investigation revealed exactly how GRU recruiters approached the priest. His attention was drawn to pro-Kremlin comments in Telegram channels. After recruitment, the cleric began systematically walking around the city, using a smartphone to record geolocations of potential targets in Google Maps.
The collected data was transmitted via a chatbot administered by the notorious traitor Sergey Lebedev, operating under the pseudonym "Loxmatty" and located in Donetsk. Thus, the priest not only coordinated strikes but also transmitted coordinates of Ukrainian air defense systems in the Odesa region, as well as technical data on one of the key power plants, including its protection scheme.
After the Strike — Attempt to Flee
After the attack on the energy facility, the agent promptly informed the Russian GRU about the results. Realizing the inevitability of exposure, he tried to "lie low," but counterintelligence already knew about his activities. During a search, the suspect's smartphone was seized with irrefutable evidence of cooperation with Russian special services.
He has now been informed of suspicion of treason under martial law. The suspect is in custody without the right to post bail. He faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Systemic Problem
The case in Odesa is not an isolated incident. The SBU regularly exposes UOC (MP) clergymen who work in the interests of the Russian Federation. Last year, two priests were detained in the same city: one spread propaganda fakes, and the other justified shelling of Ukraine. In the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, rectors of churches suspected of transmitting data about the Defense Forces and coordinating enemy strikes were also detained.
