In a cassock and with Google Maps: a UOC (MP) cleric is suspected of guiding missiles to Odesa

Counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine detained in Odesa a priest of one of the local eparchy’s churches of the UOC (MP), suspected of cooperating with Russian military intelligence. According to the special service, he was the one who adjusted the double missile strike on the city in March 2024. This was reported on 27 May 2026 by the press service of the SBU.

According to the investigation, the Russians then struck a recreational area of Odesa with two ballistic missiles: “Iskander-M”. The first strike hit residential development and other civilian infrastructure of the regional center. The SBU notes that the spotter believed there could be military personnel there. The Russians carried out the second strike on the same location after emergency services had already arrived. After the attack, according to the investigation, the agent transmitted information about the aftermath to Russian military intelligence and then tried to “go into hiding”. However, SBU officers established his involvement in directing the strike and detained him at his place of residence.

The special service claims that the cleric came to the attention of the Russians because of pro-Kremlin comments in Telegram channels. After recruitment, SBU says, he walked the city in clerical robes and marked on Google Maps the geolocations of potential “targets”. He transmitted the collected information via a chat-bot administered by the traitor Serhiy Lebedev, known under the alias “Lohmaty”. He is hiding in Donetsk and, according to the Ukrainian special service, works for Russian military intelligence.

In addition to directing strikes, the suspect, the investigation found, passed to the enemy the coordinates of the locations of air defense forces and assets of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that were defending the airspace of the Odesa region during Russian missile attacks. Also, according to the SBU, he “leaked” to the occupiers information about one of the power substations near Odesa, in particular about its protection system, and after a strike on the energy facility informed Russian intelligence about the effects of the damage. During searches, a smartphone was seized from the detainee. According to SBU, it was the device he used to collect intelligence and contacts with representatives of Russia’s GRU.

Investigators notified the cleric of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – state treason committed in conditions of martial law. He is currently in custody without the right to post bail. If found guilty, he faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

This case once again shows how dangerous Russian agents inside the country remain. Especially when public trust, religious status or access to people are used to cover possible work for the enemy. During wartime any geolocation passed to the enemy can mean not just “information”, but new missiles, dead civilians and repeat strikes on rescuers.

Recall, earlier we wrote:

• “Easy money” ended in pre-trial detention: a young man leaked to the enemy the aftermath of strikes on Kyiv
• They wanted a “gift” for May 9: the SBU foiled an assassination attempt on a high-ranking official of the Ukrainian Navy in Odesa
• An experienced criminal in the service of the FSB: how a convict adjusted airstrikes on Mykolaiv
• The SBU detained an FSB agent who adjusted strikes on Mykolaiv
• Traitors in the Mykolaiv region: among Russian agents — former and active law enforcement officers