The head of Russia's Orthodox Church, a supporter of the Kremlin's 21-month-old war against Kyiv, was placed on a wanted list by Ukraine's Interior Ministry on Friday over accusations of abetting the conflict.
The measure is simply symbolic because Patriarch Kirill is in Russia and is not under arrest. It was the latest step in Ukraine's campaign to undermine the power of clerics who it claims have close ties to Russia and undermine Ukrainian society.
Kirill was named "an individual in hiding from the bodies of pre-trial investigation" in a post on the Ukrainian ministry's wanted list, featuring him in his clerical robes. According to the report, he has been "missing" since November 11.
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Ukraine's major faith is Orthodox Christianity and authorities in Kyiv have begun criminal investigations against clerics associated with a branch of the Orthodox church that was once directly linked to the Russian church and Kirill.
The Ukrainian parliament is debating a bill to outlaw that part of the church, which has lost many parishioners since Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin ordered Russian soldiers into Ukraine in February 2022. According to the church, all ties to Moscow will be cut in May 2022.
Kirill "infringed Ukrainian sovereignty" as "part of Russia's military and political leadership's closest entourage," according to a document provided by Ukraine's SBU security service last month.
Security services have opened dozens of criminal proceedings, including treason charges, against priests and officials involved with the Moscow chapter of the church.
Kirill has condemned those measures and urged religious leaders around the world to intervene to stop Ukraine's attacks on the church.
According to a top official in the Russian church, putting Kirill on a wanted list is "a step that is as ridiculous as it is predictable."
According to Vladimir Legoida, who is in charge of relations with other churches, Ukrainian authorities are guilty of "lawlessness and attempting to intimidate parishioners."
