Cherkasy official calls UOC believers "enemies", urging seizure of churches

In a Viber messenger group called "Volunteers of the Cherkasy City Council," a local official referred to UOC believers as enemies and separatists, and called on activists to seize churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The city council official, identified in the chat as "Mykola Mykhailovych Miskrada" (likely referring to Mykola Dobrovolskyi, head of the Patronage Service Department), wrote about plans to seize UOC churches in the city.

"Tomorrow we plan to take the last bastion in Cherkasy! The fight against Ruscist filth and Moscow vermin. We’ll celebrate Easter in a Cherkasy free of Moscow priests," one message read.

He also listed specific UOC church addresses where participants were to gather: "Friends, if you live in the southwestern district, head to the pro-Russian Moscow church near Sobko Alley (Puteika). If you're closer to Mytnytsia – come to the church near the Zhyvchyk beach area."

In another message, he urged people to “find an hour to come and help rid the city of the Russian spirit.” According to him, “Only with your help can Cherkasy become the first city in Ukraine without Moscow priests.”

The official also labeled UOC parishioners as "enemies and separatists": "Unfortunately, we have both obvious and hidden 'separs', 'waiters,' and enemies. The Moscow church and its FSB priests are clearly among them."

Mykola Mykhailovych also stated that the church seizures were scheduled for 11 a.m., calling it "CU" – meaning a “central directive” (presumably from city leadership).

The messages also noted that following the announcement of the “transfer” of churches to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), participants planned to hold a “prayer service.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that raiders in Cherkasy opened fire on UOC believers.