According to ukrinform.ua, the head of the Donetsk RMA, Pavlo Kirilenko, said that the local authorities plan to “transfer” the Svyatogorsk Lavra to the OCU.

“I believe that everything should be done according to the law, honor and conscience. This church transition process is long, they are engaged in it. We are in full communication with the relevant ministry, and, of course, we will give everything that is necessary and will contribute to this,” Kirilenko said.

He also stressed that legally Svyatogorsk Lavra has not yet “transferred” to the OCU, as there is a difference in the processing of documents and property rights in Sviatohorsk Lavra: “If we compare, for example, with Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, according to my information, the clerics of Svyatogorsk Lavra are not ready to voluntarily transfer to the OCU. We have submitted all the necessary documents to the Ministry of Culture and law enforcement agencies.

“We will promote the deployment of the OCU in the region, allocate land, restore the possibility of holding worship services,” the head of the Donetsk RMA added.