Ukrainian Priest, Whose Brother Died in War, Moves to Russia and Backs Kremlin Propaganda.

Priest Oleksiy Onishchuk's Support for Pro-Russian Propaganda

According to TSN.ua: Oleksiy Onishchuk, a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) from the Rivne region, has relocated to Russia and begun openly supporting pro-Russian propaganda. This move comes despite the fact that his brother, Oleksandr, was killed in combat against Russian occupying forces in late May 2022. The UOC-MP has historically maintained close ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, a relationship that has become deeply controversial since Russia's full-scale invasion.

Life After His Brother's Death

Following his brother's tragic death, Oleksiy Onishchuk moved to Russia, where he was appointed rector of the Intercession Church in the settlement of Lunacharsky in Tolyatti. His departure follows earlier conflicts in Ukraine; in 2019, he lost his church in a village in the Kostopil district after refusing to transition to the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Subsequently, he oversaw the construction of a new Moscow Patriarchate church using funds from a private patron.

This case occurs against a backdrop of other contentious activities linked to the UOC-MP. In Kyiv, an illegal school reportedly operated at the UOC-MP's 'Holosiivsk Pustyn' monastery, which was accused of indoctrinating Ukrainian children. These details illustrate the complex environment in which figures like Onishchuk operate, promoting pro-Russian sentiments even after profound personal loss.

The situation underscores the deeply fraught relationship between religious institutions in Ukraine and Russia, particularly during the ongoing war. The priest's flight to Russia and his endorsement of Kremlin propaganda is likely to cause outrage among Ukrainian believers who have also suffered wartime losses. Furthermore, Onishchuk's case raises broader questions about the role of religious affiliation in modern geopolitical conflicts and its powerful influence on societal divisions.