The Center for Countering Disinformation explained why the UOC MP exaggerated the number of march participants.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Spiritual Center of the Moscow Patriarchate tried to twist the facts about the participants of the cross procession to the Pochaiv Lavra, which lasted from August 19 to 25. This was reported by the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council.

The UOC stated that 30 thousand believers from all regions of Ukraine participated in the procession. 

But analysts checked this information with the help of the National Police and found that the data published by the official sources of the UOC did not match reality.

Olena Berezhna, head of the Communication Department of the National Police of Ukraine, reported that about 5 thousand participants were recorded, and approximately 3.5 thousand people were present at the liturgy in Pochaiv Lavra.

In addition, local media noted that there were significantly fewer participants in the cross procession this year compared to previous years. 

«The UOC, distorting the numbers of participants in the procession, tries to create the impression of a busy event and the great support of their ideas among the population. Thus, the UOC tries to manipulate public opinion in the context of the adoption in Ukraine of a law banning the activities of Russian religious organizations», explained the Center for Countering Disinformation.