The Russian Foreign Ministry announces the centralized mobilization of UOC priests from Kyiv

Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Mikhail Melech stated that mobilization agendas for clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are sent centrally from Kyiv, bypassing local military registration and enlistment offices.

In recent years, hundreds of clergy have been mobilized against their wishes and contrary to their religious beliefs.

The Russian Foreign Ministry calls on human rights organizations and international structures to request information from Ukraine about the missing priests.

GENEVA, September 8 - RIA Novosti. Mobilization summonses for clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are sent centrally from Kyiv, bypassing local military registration and enlistment offices, said Mikhail Melech, special representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry for international cooperation in the field of ensuring the right to freedom of religion.

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“Tight control at the high state level of the process of conscription into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is evidenced by information from parishes and the Ukrainian media, according to which mobilization agendas are sent to clerics of the UOC directly to various regions centrally from Kyiv, bypassing local military registration and enlistment offices,” Melech said, speaking on the sidelines of the UNHRC session.

The diplomat added that in recent years, hundreds of clergy have been mobilized against their will and against their religious beliefs. In addition, there is information about missing priests who were kidnapped by people in camouflage uniforms without identification marks.

The Russian Foreign Ministry calls on all human rights organizations and relevant international structures to request information from Ukraine about these citizens and clarify their fate.