Ukraine's border guard service reports detention of priest allegedly involved with militants' battalion in Donbas

15:25, 13.08.2015 1 min read

A Ukrainian border guard unit manning the Buhas checkpoint in the Donetsk region has detained a Ukrainian citizen, a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), who is allegedly involved with the militants.

"The man was heading to the territory which is not temporarily under [Kyiv's] control," the press service of Ukraine's Border Guard Service has said.

The man produced documents which confirmed his involvement in militants' forces' activities, it said.

In particular, the man produced an ID card which pointed to his membership in the militants' 'Vostok' (East) battalion, the press service said.

"Furthermore, it has also been established that he is a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate," the press service said.

An inquiry continues.