A Ukrainian security agency claims the Russian Orthodox Church is creating private military groups to recruit and train mercenaries for combat against Ukraine, says training happening at churches.
From Euromaiden Press BY YURI ZORIA
On 19 October, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) was establishing its own “Orthodox private military companies” to recruit and train mercenaries to fight against Ukraine. The agency says it has exposed one such Orthodox Christian military company operating out of a prominent cathedral in Russia.
According to the SBU, the so-called Andreyevsky Cross private military company recruits and trains mercenaries out of the Kronstadt Naval Cathedral in St. Petersburg. The security agency alleges that church recruiters enlist parishioners, preferentially targeting men with prior Russian military service and combat experience, before sending them for additional training under the direction of Russian special services’ instructors to prepare them for deployment with Russian forces on the frontlines in Ukraine.
“To disguise combat training, its organizers train ‘recruits’ exclusively within the walls of the cathedral and on special training grounds of the Russian Federation,” the SBU wrote.
Voice of Ukraine 