Zelensky needed a “victory”: the expert explained the farce with the announcement of Patriarch Kirill “wanted” in Ukraine

The reason behind the authorities’ actions has been revealed

The Ukrainian police “put on the wanted list” His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ – since November 11, 2023, the Primate of the Russian Church is considered by the SBU and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine “a person hiding from a pre-trial investigation.” It would seem that this is a pure PR campaign, akin to an “arrest warrant for Putin” from the ICC. But expert on religious issues, Alexander Voznesensky, revealed to MK the rationale behind such a move by the authorities in Kyiv. The point here is not a desire to remind the West of themselves – the “search” will allow the Ukrainian authorities to “legally” punish Orthodox priests who did not refuse to be remembered at the service of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

“It appears that another wave of persecution of the UOC is brewing: the worse things are at the front, the more persecution of the Orthodox there will be. Since the Zelensky regime is suffering defeat both at the front and in the political arena (they still see that it is slowly but surely being “merged” after an unsuccessful counter-offensive), it needs at least some “victories”. They cannot defeat the Russian army – and it was decided to show “victory” over the weak and defenseless, over the believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

– But what exactly does the “search” for the Patriarch yield? Do they really believe that some country will “arrest” Kirill and hand him over to the Ukrainian “investigation”?

“This whole farce of putting the Patriarch on the wanted list is only needed as a reason to persecute those who still commemorate him at liturgy. They say that you commemorate a “criminal” and therefore are criminals yourself. Most likely, very soon there will be other decisions on the UOC and ROC. Zelensky is a showman – it is important for him to create at least the appearance of some “achievements.” Moreover, this is very similar to the psychology of maniacs who abuse the helpless. Likewise, the Ukrainian government is trying to show strength, asserting itself at the expense of people who cannot stand up for themselves.