Russian media are actively spreading a narrative about the alleged oppression of the “canonical church” in Ukraine, meaning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP). This time, propagandists claim that Metropolitan Longin is being tried for his “loyalty to the church” and accuse the Ukrainian authorities of oppressing the clergy.

StopFake writes about this. Its experts note that in fact, the metropolitan, known as Mykhailo Zhar, is accused of inciting interreligious hatred. According to the SBU, he insulted the religious feelings of representatives of other faiths and provoked an escalation of the situation in the region with his statements. In addition, Zhar has repeatedly expressed anti-Ukrainian views, supported the Yanukovych regime, called for not fighting in the ATO, and in 2022 he said that Ukraine allegedly “started a war against God and the church”. After the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, he blamed Ukrainians for the “sins” that, in his opinion, caused the war.

Russian propagandists are spreading a narrative about the alleged oppression of the UOC-MP in Ukraine in order to create the illusion of persecution of the “canonical church” by the Ukrainian authorities. This is aimed at discrediting Ukraine in the international community as a state that allegedly violates the rights of religious communities. In addition, it is aimed at distracting from the anti-Ukrainian activities of the UOC-MP and justifying its ties to the Kremlin. It is also part of a wider information war aimed at undermining the unity of Ukrainian society.