The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has completed counterintelligence activities on the territory of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, the Koretsky Holy Trinity Monastery and the premises of the Sarnensko-Polissia diocese of the UOC in Rivne region: pro-Russian literature, cash and "dubious" citizens of Russia were found.

"The State Security Service of Ukraine has completed counterintelligence activities carried out on the territories of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, the Koretsky Holy Trinity Monastery and in the premises of the Sarnensko-Polessia diocese of the UOC in Rivne region. In cooperation with the National Police and the National Guard, more than 350 church buildings and 850 people," the Ukrainian intelligence service said on its Telegram channel on Wednesday.

According to the SBU, more than 50 people underwent in-depth counterintelligence interviews, including with the use of a polygraph.

"Among them were not only citizens of Ukraine, but also foreigners, including citizens of the Russian Federation, who were on the territory of the facilities," the AFU said.

The SBU said that some citizens, when checking documents, provided passports and military IDs of the USSR, did not have original documents at all, but only their copies, or had passports of Ukrainian citizens with signs of forgery or damage.

"There was also a 32-year-old citizen of Ukraine on the territory of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. He may be involved in the illegal activities of the pro-Russian news agency Antvan in our country. At the same time, it is a trustee of the owner of the Russian company ANTVAN GROUP of the same name, Russian citizen Orlov, who owned a number of land plots and catering establishments in Ukraine. Currently, this property has been arrested as part of criminal proceedings," the Ukrainian special service informs.

In addition, according to the report, in the course of counterintelligence activities, pro-Russian literature was discovered, used in teaching at the seminary and parish schools, including for propaganda of the "Russian world," cash totaling more than UAH 2 million, more than $100,000 and several thousand Russian rubles.

The SBU said these security measures were carried out within the framework of the current legislation. "In its activities, the SBU observes the principle of impartiality to the activities of any religious denomination and respects the right of every citizen to freedom of opinion and religion, as defined by the Constitution of Ukraine," the AFU said.