Raiders in Cherkasy open fire on UOC believers

Shooting in the cathedral in Cherkasy. Photo: Screenshot from UOJ video

Around 3 a.m. on the night of October 17, about 100 people in camouflage and balaclavas stormed the territory of the Archangel Michael Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Cherkasy. The attackers attempted to seize the church by force.

When a group of UOC believers, led by Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv, arrived at the scene, they organized a defense of the cathedral. However, the people in camouflage opened fire with a gas pistol on the parishioners.

The attack was recorded on video, showing the raiders continuing to shoot at the believers as they attempted to flee.

Despite the aggression from OCU supporters, the believers managed to defend the church. However, a few hours later, the UOC Cathedral in Cherkasy was seized.

Read also

OCU representatives conduct "worship" in the seized UOC shrine in Cherkasy

Media outlets published a video of the "service" by OCU clergy in the Orthodox shrine, from which Orthodox Christians were forcibly expelled.

Metropolitan Theodosiy hospitalized after UOC cathedral seizure in Cherkasy

The attackers assaulted the bishop and beat him.

Cathedral raiders in Cherkasy loot the temple after the assault

The cathedral's accounting office was ransacked, and the money was stolen.

Unknown individuals in camouflage seize Cherkasy cathedral on the second try

Many UOC parishioners were injured during the storming of the church.

Police say they are investigating "hooliganism" at Cherkasy UOC cathedral

Law enforcement remained inactive during the seizure of the UOC cathedral in Cherkasy by radicals.

Raiders in Cherkasy open fire on UOC believers

Parishioners were gassed, beaten, and shot at with a pistol.