Ukrainian Security Service issues arrest warrant for Patriarch Cyril over suspected war crimes justification

The charges leveled against Cyril include an attack on Ukraine's territorial integrity and conducting aggressive war or combat operations. Consequently, he's been issued with an arrest warrant.

A criminal case was launched against Cyril in Ukraine in November for "blessing" Russian soldiers going to war against Ukraine. Cyril, according to investigation findings, is part of Russia's top military-political leadership and publicly supported Russia's all-out war against Ukraine early on.

Cyril used his subordinate religious communities in Russia and representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchy to spread propaganda. The SBU emphasizes that Cyril routinely pushes the Kremlin's narrative in his online sermons and video comments.

In January, Cyril stated that he sees Ukrainians and Russians as one people, which "external forces" are trying to divide. Justifying Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he also suggested that death in war is a sacrifice that "absolves all sins".

A children's book containing sentences about war and army service was published by the Orthodox Moscow Patriarchate. The authors, referencing Bible quotes and clerical statements, argue that "all power comes from God". A note inside the book highlights its content, stating that the sentences "prepare children for life in the army and strengthen the will to win".

Analysts from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) consider the booklet another example of indoctrinating children in the spirit of Russian nationalism and "creating conditions for long-term efforts to generate forces".