The SBU has notified Putin's so-called spiritual mentor of the charges against him
The Security Service of Ukraine has formally charged, in absentia, Metropolitan Georgy Shevkunov (Tikhon) of the Russian Orthodox Church, who is considered Vladimir Putin’s chief “spiritual mentor.” The cleric is accused of violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity and justifying Russia’s armed aggression.
According to the investigation, Shevkunov is one of the leading ideologues of the Kremlin regime and was among the first to publicly support Russia’s full-scale invasion. In 2023, he was appointed head of the so-called Crimean Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church on the occupied peninsula, where he used religious institutions to spread Russian nationalism. In addition, during public appearances, the metropolitan systematically justified the shelling of Ukrainian cities and called for the continued occupation of Ukrainian territory.
Forensic examinations initiated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed the suspect’s engagement in subversive information activities in the interests of Russia. Based on the evidence gathered, he is charged with violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability, as well as justifying and denying the Russian Federation’s armed aggression.
The European Union has expanded its sanctions list against Russia, adding more than 80 individuals and entities to it. Among them is Metropolitan Tikhon (Georgy Shevkunov) of Simferopol and Crimea, whom the media refer to as Putin’s “spiritual advisor.”
Prior to this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree imposing new sanctions against citizens and organizations linked to Russian propaganda and the persecution of Ukrainians. The restrictions apply to 29 individuals and 17 legal entities.
