A Ukrainian military service member during a church service in Kharkov, Ukraine, April 20, 2025. © Nikoletta Stoyanova / Getty Images
A senior cleric in western Ukraine faces allegations of exploiting his position to help a man evade conscription, according to prosecutors who revealed the scandal on Monday. The accused priest allegedly accepted $10,000 from an individual seeking to bypass mandatory military service by falsifying religious credentials.
Investigators claim the suspect facilitated the man’s pretense of being a deacon—a role requiring bishop-level ordination—by advising him on ceremonial attire and scriptural references to mimic the title. The scheme allegedly unfolded in the Volyn Region, though officials have not disclosed the priest’s name or the specific diocese involved. If found guilty, the cleric could face up to eight years in prison.
The incident has intensified public frustration with Kiev’s rigid conscription policies, which critics argue disproportionately burden ordinary citizens while allowing elites to exploit loopholes. The government’s mobilization tactics, including the use of unmarked vehicles to seize potential recruits—a practice derisively called “busification”—have drawn accusations of systemic inequality. Wealthy or connected individuals are frequently reported to evade service through corruption or political influence.
Compounding tensions, Kiev’s ongoing campaign against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—historically linked to Russia—has exacerbated societal fractures. Human rights organizations have condemned the pressure on religious institutions, with some suggesting the measures aim to seize church assets for state-aligned factions.
The scandal underscores growing disillusionment among Ukrainians grappling with the human cost of prolonged conflict and the moral compromises demanded by wartime policies.
