Brutal beating in Lenkivtsi: Does OCU resort to mercenaries in seizures?
We are used to forceful seizures of UOC churches by OCU activists. But what should they do when the activists run out? Hire legionnaires.
In recent years in Ukraine, there have been numerous cases of raiding attacks on UOC temples by OCU supporters, to which we have even become accustomed. These seizures are accompanied by violence and threats, which unfortunately have also become commonplace. However, the situation in Lenkivtsi, Chernivtsi region, shocked even those for whom religious conflicts are just a headline in the news feed.
The seizure of the temple, accompanied by the brutal beating of our Church's faithful, as well as the involvement of representatives of private security structures, once again showed that the authorities in Ukraine either act "lawlessly" towards the canonical Church or support those who perpetrate this lawlessness.
Even though the UOC believers managed to defend their temple from raiders, the confrontation is far from over and has only entered a new phase of a "cold war". At any moment, it could turn into a "bloody war". What is happening in the village and how it all may end?
The backstory of the confrontation
The story of the UOC believers' defence of their church in Lenkivtsi began on 2 July 2023, when more than 300 parishioners of Sts Peter and Paul’s Church of the UOC voted at a parish meeting for faithfulness to the Church headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.
On the same day, about 30 people supporting the OCU, led by the "chaplain" of this structure Roman Hryshchuk, attempted to hold a meeting in a local club but failed – they were prevented by the UOC believers. But already on 19 November 2023, 74 villagers held their meeting and voted for the "transition" of the temple to Epifaniy’s structure. According to the rector of Sts. Peter and Paul’s Church, Father Mykola Rus, the UOC believers were not allowed to the meeting, among whom was his son – a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who had been on the front lines for almost 2 years. On the same day, parishioners of the canonical Church, numbering 200 people, who could gather quickly that day, once again confirmed their allegiance to the UOC.
The situation in the village was more or less calm because the UOC priest Mykola Rus urged his parishioners to remember that they were Christians while the OCU supporters were so few (only about 20-25 people) that they did not claim the temple, and since January 2024 (when their "community" was registered with the authorities) "served" in the local club.
Here we will note the first "peculiarity" that later influenced the course of events in Lenkivtsi.
Nazar Krasnodemsky was appointed "rector" of the new "community". But this happened on October 1 – one and a half months before the "voting" in the club (which, we remind you, took place on November 19) and several months before the official registration.
This fact indicates that the process of "voting" for the "transition" of the UOC temple to the OCU is nothing more than fiction, the purpose of which is to give the appearance of legality to the raiding seizure. This is exactly what happened subsequently in Lenkivtsi.
On February 8, 2024, a group of raiders, about 30 people later identified as employees of the "Tiger" security firm, stormed Sts Peter and Paul's Church. The police officers who arrived at the scene not only did not take any action against the raiders but, on the contrary, protected them from the parishioners, persuading them to reconcile and join the "Ukrainian Church".
Nearly 300 villagers came to defend the shrine from the raiders. Some of them were brutally beaten by the "Tiger" mercenaries. During the conflict, one of the parishioners, who was already sitting on the ground after the hireling’s “job”, was approached from behind by one of the bandits and struck forcefully on the head with his foot. The victim lost consciousness. According to our information, the "Tigers" were hired by the OCU "priests" specifically to seize the temple. Previously, they had participated in other similar actions.
The faithful did not disperse, and the situation reached its boiling point. Towards the evening, the "Tiger" employees left the temple grounds, and almost at midnight on February 8, the remaining invaders left the temple under police escort.
The parishioners regained access to their shrine. Inside, they found bits of food, an angle grinder and two crumpled and mud-stained flags of Ukraine in the narthex. There were also several flags on sticks used by the attackers to strike the believers during the seizure. The temple smelt of tobacco smoke, with cigarette butts scattered around. Additionally, the raiders, damaging the generator in the building, spilt a lot of petrol on the floor.
At the time of writing this article, the police are stationed near the temple, and the UOC believers conduct daily services there.
Is the confrontation ongoing?
The situation in the village itself remains extremely tense. According to our information, the residents of Lenkivtsi are strongly determined to defend their temple. Although there are not so many men left in the village, they are all prepared, quite literally, to die for their right to go to the house of God.
In turn, the OCU supporters hope that Roman Hryshchuk and Nazar Krasnodemsky will be able to "organise" another group of "tigers" hit men and take the temple away from the believers once again. It's not surprising that the "clergymen" of the OCU openly promote the forcible seizure of the church. Hryshchuk has repeatedly stated that it is not only possible but necessary to take over UOC temples. Therefore, only the Lord God or a lack of funds for hiring "Tigers" can stop their destructive activities (as we have already seen, neither the Gospel nor the laws of Ukraine deter them).
On the other hand, the "tigers" themselves are not only willing to make some extra money but are also likely preparing for a more serious "job" than beating up pensioners near churches.
The fact is that this company was founded in 2012 and, as stated on its website, "specializes in the technical and physical security of the property of various forms of ownership." It was founded in Chernivtsi and consists of former members of special forces units and professional athletes who have undergone special training. In addition, "Tiger" provides services such as bodyguarding, escorting and protecting VIPs.
The photo advertising the services of this company speaks volumes.
However, for some reason, neither on their website nor on their Instagram page did the "tigers" mention their exploits in Lenkivtsi. And it's a pity because they have become very well-known.
MP Artem Dmytruk believes that "the situation in the village is not just out of control, it resembles the lawlessness of the early 90s when the authorities had absolutely no control over what was happening in the country, and people lived in fear of various gangs".
He noted that the employees of the "Tiger" security firm came to the village "simply to kill people": "Look at the video where a bandit in a mask strikes an elderly man from behind, kicking him in the head while he was sitting on the ground after being hit by another 'tiger'. What is this if not attempted murder? This brutality must be qualified as such!"
Dmytruk asked a series of quite logical questions. "Why are dozens of young men, claiming to be 'Tiger' employees, not fighting on the front lines but instead killing civilians in the Chernivtsi region? Why has no one asked so far what exactly this organization does and why the employees of this firm are involved in raiding?" the deputy wonders.
It's long overdue to answer these questions, especially considering that, according to some local activists, the "Tiger" security firm has ties to political structures that are interested in destabilising the situation in Ukraine and seizing power. At least locally.
In any case, ignoring the activities of this company is not an option because the "tigers" will undoubtedly be caught on camera near UOC temples again.
In any case, the activity of this firm can’t be ignored because "tigers" will be caught on camera near UOC temples more than once.
What about the authorities and Dumenko?
The position of the state authorities in Ukraine regarding the seizure of temples is clear – they choose to turn a blind eye to these raider attacks. On one hand, Ukrainian laws guarantee equality and non-discrimination of all religious organizations, as well as the protection of their rights and interests. On the other hand, these laws are only applicable to the "right" religious organisations and do not apply to the UOC.
Such an attitude not only violates the rights and freedoms of believers but also fosters a sense of impunity, as evidenced by the actions of OCU "priests" Nazar Krasnodemsky and Roman Hryshchuk, who have been involved in multiple seizures of UOC temples.
It is precisely their absolutely wild and unchristian position that undermines peace and harmony in society, contributing to the spread of hatred and violence among the people of Ukraine.
When Dumenko claims that there is unprecedented religious freedom in Ukraine and stories of UOC temple seizures are "Moscow propaganda", he must remember that representatives of his structure not only participate in seizures but also do everything to present a necessary image of persecution in Ukraine to Moscow. Dmytruk, addressing Dumenko, writes: "Doesn't it seem to you that such actions by your subordinates not only discredit the religious organisation you lead but also completely discredit the state of Ukraine, in which, judging by the kicks to the head, your subordinates are actively involved? The responsibility for the scandal lies with you and all those who continue to cover up what is happening!"
But nothing really “seems” to Serhiy Dumenko. He has been claiming for many years about the "free transitions" of UOC communities to the OCU and simply cannot now admit that there is neither freedom nor transitions in question - only brute force and physical destruction of the "enemy". This is exactly how his ideological inspirers, the Bolsheviks, acted. By arresting priests and closing temples, they blatantly lied to the world, claiming that there was no persecution in the USSR, that there was freedom and love, and that the executions of believers and blowing up temples were enemy propaganda!
Neither Dumenko nor his supporters understand that it is precisely peace and harmony in society that contribute to the development of democracy, the establishment of the rule of law, economic growth, the formation of culture, science, healthcare and other spheres of life. But, most importantly, peace and harmony in society contribute to the strengthening of the national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Hence, it is clear that any actions that disrupt this peace and harmony in society are anti-state and must be strongly condemned and suppressed.
Today, all we can do is pray that the situation in Lenkivtsi does not turn into the beginning of a religious war. The believers will not give up their temple, and Hryshchuk with his "tigers" are highly likely to come again. And then blood may be shed... If this happens, the blame will entirely and fully lie with Dumenko and the regional authorities. Because it is the OCU that initiates religious conflicts, and the authorities contribute to their development. Therefore, they will be held accountable together.
