Political technologist explains why authorities are silent about the murder in Svyatogorsk
Mykhailo Pavliv linked the tragedy at Svyatogorsk Lavra to the authorities' encouragement of radical and neo-pagan cults.
Analyst Mykhailo Pavliv reported on the deliberate ignoring by Ukraine's leadership of the murder of a monk at Svyatogorsk Lavra. In an interview with Oleksandr Shelest, the expert linked the absence of official statements to tacit approval of violence against the UOC.
Commenting on his interlocutor's remark that the authorities respond instantly to other incidents, Pavliv emphasized that the silence regarding the murder at the lavra indicates a certain position of state structures. "This is not an issue that the authorities consider dangerous for themselves," the analyst explained. "In their view, it turns out that slashing and killing monks belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church... is permissible within the framework of their consensus."
Mykhailo Pavliv suggested that the multiple stab wounds point to a ritual murder. "This does not resemble either a knife fight or a robbery. This resembles a ritual murder."
The expert linked the tragedy to years of state support for radicals. "One cannot set up a pantheon in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. One cannot encourage, for many, many years — let us speak plainly — neo-pagan, neo-satanic cults of the most varied kinds, and neo-Nazi ones, flourishing in full bloom — let us speak plainly — both within the Armed Forces of Ukraine and among the security forces, and not receive things like this," the analyst stated.
In the expert's view, flirting with radical cults will inevitably lead to an internal catastrophe. "Because when the cult of death becomes prevailing — and in those circles that currently hold power, weapons, and authority, it is precisely prevailing... These demons will break free," Pavliv concluded.
As a reminder, as a result of the attack on the brotherhood of Svyatogorsk Lavra of the UOC on August 23, 2026, monk Varsonofiy was killed, while novice monk Hryhoriy and novice Andrii were hospitalized in serious condition at one of Kharkiv's hospitals. According to the medical death certificate, monk Varsonofiy died from a through-and-through gunshot wound to the head and neck with damage to the bones of the skull.
As the UOJ reported, the UOC Chancellor called for not hushing up the murder of the monk of Svyatogorsk Lavra.
