AFU soldier: Demonisation of the Church is a path to internal strife

A serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has called on the Ukrainian authorities to solve the issues of internal security in a legal way, without taking steps that lead to the division of society.

On 12 December 2022, an AFU soldier, Bohdan Grafov, recorded an appeal in support of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in which he urged the authorities to stop the persecution of the UOC. The video message was posted by the Telegram channel "Laymen – Defenders of Ukraine".

"In times of war, I consider such things inappropriate and only divisive for society," Bohdan said. He reminded the authorities that collaborators and manifestations of Russophilia can be fought within the law.

"Demonising the entire Church is the way to internal strife; it is an encroachment on the sacred for many. I hope that the authorities will be wise enough to solve all acute issues constructively, without hurting the feelings of believers," stressed the serviceman.