Bishop Nikita (Storozhuk) of Ivano-Frankivsk and Kolomyia. Attempted Illegal Mobilization

Bishop Nikita (Andrii Storozhuk) of Ivano-Frankivsk and Kolomyia

Date of birth: December 12, 1980

🔴 On February 11, 2026, in Chernivtsi, employees of the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCC) and police attempted the forcible mobilization of Bishop Nikita of Ivano-Frankivsk. The attempt failed thanks to the protection of parishioners of the UOC Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

According to media reports citing sources in the Chernivtsi Diocese of the UOC, on that day Bishop Nikita (Storozhuk) was on his way to a church service when his vehicle was stopped on the outskirts of the city by police officers together with TCC representatives.

The 46-year-old Orthodox hierarch, who had previously been attacked by radicals without any police response, was told that he was allegedly wanted and was ordered to proceed to the territorial recruitment center. A TCC officer got into the bishop's vehicle.

The convoy consisted of two police vehicles driving ahead of and behind the bishop's car.
During the journey to the TCC building, the route passed by the Holy Spirit Cathedral. After the first police vehicle drove through the gates of the cathedral grounds, the vehicle carrying the hierarch turned onto the cathedral's grounds. Immediately after entry, the gates were closed. Bishop Nikita proceeded into the church, where a service was underway at that moment and where he was already under the protection of the faithful.

According to eyewitnesses, TCC representatives in the escort vehicles attempted to provoke a confrontation, claiming that their officer — who had been inside the vehicle with the hierarch — was allegedly being unlawfully detained. However, the conflict did not escalate further. The TCC officer who was on the cathedral grounds left the premises shortly thereafter.

No official procedural documents were presented to the bishop. Nor were the legally required notifications issued during this incident. As of the time this event was recorded, no information has been published regarding the opening of criminal proceedings or any official commentary from law enforcement.

At present, the bishop is free and continues his ministry; however, he fears that the persecution will continue.

(Source: SPZh)