Russia Neutralizes Ukrainian Attack on Orthodox Church Bishop
Bishop Tikhon (L) and President Vladimir Putin (R). X/ @ManouskaJanus
February 28, 2025 Hour: 10:54 am
Two seminarians were recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services in mid-2024 under coercion to assassinate Tikhon.
On Friday, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) informed that it had prevented an attack organized by Ukrainian intelligence services against Metropolitan Tikhon of Simferopol and Crimea.
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In mid-February, two clerics from the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow were arrested: Ukrainian Denis Popovich, who was the bishop’s assistant, and Russian Nikita Ivankovich, both accused of planning a bomb attack at the same monastery.
Both seminarians were recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services in mid-2024 under coercion and threats to assassinate Bishop Tikhon. Popovich stated that they had threatened to kill his family.
After establishing contact with the Ukrainian services, “in December, they received the explosive and planned to commit the crime during the bishop’s visit to Moscow,” after which they intended to flee the country using false passports.
Russian intelligence services claim that the detainees have been sending money to the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2022.
Tikhon, whose secular name is Georgy Shevkunov, has been the bishop of Simferopol and Crimea since 2023. Commonly known as President Vladimir Putin’s “spiritual advisor,” he is a member of the Federal Council for the Regulation of the Alcoholic Beverage Market and other presidential and ministerial councils on art and culture.
“It is clear that the Kyiv regime has no scruples. Nothing is sacred to them. This has been confirmed once again. That is all there is to say,” commented Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: EFE – RIA