On March 13, 2021, six 18-19 year olds who are supporters of the OCU severely beat the 63-year-old believer of the Mikhailovsky parish in the village of Zadubrovka, Chernivtsi region, Vasily Grigorievich Khashchiyuk. The chairman of the Legal Department of the UOC, Archpriest Alexander Bakhov, commenting on this situation, noted that this is a vivid illustration of the consequences of the division that the project of the previous government – OCU brought to our society. It provides that this crime may be passed off as a domestic conflict, and calls on the authorities and law enforcement officers to a responsible investigation. This was reported by the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

“This shameful act clearly illustrates that the OCU project has brought division on religious grounds into our society. In fact, the unification did not take place, as many say about it, ”said the Chairman of the Legal Department of the UOC.

Archpriest Alexander stressed that churches are being seized, people are forced to go to the OCU, statesmen, on the basis of false decisions that are presented as a decision of a religious community, re-register to this structure.

“The question arises, why is it necessary to transfer to the OCU? After all, the law allows you to be a member of any church and profess any faith. The very fact of the creation of the OCU is not a basis for changing the subordination of the religious community, especially since the Ukrainian Orthodox Church did not take part in the creation of this organization,” he states.

The lawyer, seeing the problem in the politics of government officials’ interference, notes: “No one keeps anyone in the UOC, people and religious communities can move wherever they want, and during these two years everyone who wanted to move somewhere has already done it for a long time. But the question arises why the religious communities of the UOC are forced to transfer to the OCU? And in this village, there are people who do not want to belong and move into this new formation.”

“I am sure that they will try to pass off this crime as a domestic conflict, because the authorities are not profitable, that conflicts arise on religious grounds. Responsibility for a fair and thorough investigation of this shameful crime lies with both the local authorities and the law enforcement officers who will deal with this case,” said Father Alexander Bakhov.

“I wish Vasily Grigorievich a speedy recovery, strength and patience. And I would like to draw your attention to the fact that if the authorities continue not to notice violations of the rights of believers and religious communities of the UOC, it will lead to a catastrophe,” concluded the Chairman of the Legal Department.