Ukraine serves notice of suspicion on Kremlin leader’s "spiritual mentor"

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the Prosecutor General's Office have served a notice of suspicion in absentia on Russian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Georgy Shevkunov, also known as Tikhon, who is considered the confessor of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine; Prosecutor General's Office

Quote: "The Security Service has gathered evidence against Russian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Georgy Shevkunov, known as Tikhon, who supports Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and justifies the Ruscists war crimes."

Details: Investigators established that Shevkunov is the Kremlin leader's main spiritual mentor and one of the leading visionaries of the Kremlin regime.

The investigation found that Tikhon was among the first to support Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and called for assistance to Russia's armed groups.

Investigators also established that in 2023 he was appointed head of the so-called Crimean Metropolia of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Ukrainian peninsula.

In this post, the Russian Orthodox Church cleric used the diocese's resources to spread Kremlin ideology extensively in the temporarily occupied part of Ukraine.

Tikhon also regularly takes part in public speeches in which he justifies attacks on Ukrainian cities and campaigns for the further occupation of the entire territory of Ukraine.

An expert examination initiated by SSU confirmed evidence of Shevkunov's information and subversive activities in Russia's interests.

Based on the evidence gathered, SSU investigators served Metropolitan Tikhon with a notice of suspicion in absentia under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Article 110.2, encroachment on Ukraine's territorial integrity and inviolability, and Article 436-2.3, justification, recognition as lawful or denial of Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine and glorification of its participants.

Comprehensive measures are under way to bring Metropolitan Tikhon to criminal responsibility for crimes against Ukraine.

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