Korsun-Shevchenkivsky, Cherkasy Province, Ukraine, February 20, 2026
Photo: First Cossack
Supporters of the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” have converted the seized Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands in Korsun-Shevchenkivsky, Cherkasy Province, into clothing storage.
Parishioners of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church who have continued to pray outside the walls of their church report that the lower level of the church is now used to store goods, with bags and boxes of clothing piled up directly in front of the iconostasis. The icons and altar have been covered by the stored items, and the space no longer serves any liturgical purpose, reports the First Cossack Telegram channel.
Photo: First Cossack
More than 20 months have passed since the seizure, and not a single church service has been held inside the building during that time, while the Orthodox faithful are forced to pray on the street.
The seizure took place on the night of May 30, 2024, when a group of people in military uniforms broke onto the church grounds, tore off the locks, and entered the building. The raiders deliberately waited until curfew hours to carry out their “special operation,” remaining locked inside the church property through the night. The group identified itself as local territorial defense.
The conflict over the church dates to 2022, when OCU supporters, backed by local activists, first moved to take over the building.
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