After the media published reports about archpriest Volodymyr Puchkov, a cleric from Vinnytsia, who is currently actively cooperating with the Russian Orthodox Church, while remaining a cleric with the UOC (in unity with the MP), the press service of the Vinnytsia diocese hastened to “refute” the reports and at the same time “clean up” their official website, removing any mention of the notorious priest. However, as it turned out, the statement released the diocese contained a number of manipulative and false facts, which the editorial staff of NaParyzhi outlet highlighted.
New facts
It should be recalled that on April 2, a report came out, entitled “Vinnytsia priest became a Russian ‘spy’ and organizer of pilgrimage tours,” saying that Father Volodymyr Puchkov left abroad, having reported his disability under dubious circumstances. After the full-scale invasion, he settled in Jerusalem, where he became an employee of the so-called Russian Spiritual Mission for the ROC. At the same time, he continued to receive pilgrims from Ukraine as a cleric of the UOC-MP and head of the pilgrimage department of the Vinnytsia diocese.
The diocese’s response
On April 8, the diocesan press service published a statement dismissing all these facts as a “hoax” and “manipulation.”
“The information that Archpriest Volodymyr Puchkov allegedly went abroad and joined the ROC is not true, it is frankly false!” the statement says.
At the same time, the statement goes on to contain a blatant contradiction – it is admitted that the priest did leave Ukraine before the invasion “for personal reasons”. At the same time, the diocese denies any connection with the ROC and the Russian Mission in Jerusalem, claiming that Puchkov does not hold any positions in the diocese.
However, facts are stubborn.
Documentary confirmation
The editorial staff of NaParyzhi provided photo evidence of Puchkov’s participation in services in Vinnytsia after the full-scale invasion. For example:
On April 26, 2022, he concelebrated with Metropolitan Varsonofiy at Easter;
On August 13 and 18, 2022, he was present at services in the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Vinnytsia
Until April 7, 2024, his name was listed on the diocese’s website as the head of the pilgrimage department.
Only on April 8, after a media outcry, was this report quickly replaced, indicating that Archpriest Roman Makar was the new head of the pilgrimage service. Even more interestingly, the message from the diocese states that Makar was “appointed last year,” although none of the previous publications mentioned him in that role.
Incidentally, Father Roman has a good reputation — he supports the Ukrainian military and advocates for a real separation from the Russian Orthodox Church.
Notorious ties with the Russian Orthodox Church
Father Puchkov appeared in a report by the Russian propaganda channel “Russia 1,” where he served at the grave of a Russian general in Jerusalem — a location that the Kremlin actively uses as a “spiritual cover” for its special operations.
It is obvious that participation in such events is not just a “personal initiative,” but part of the “Russian world” promotion policy that the Russian Orthodox Church implements around the globe. Admission to such sites is a sign of trust on the part of the Russian church and state leadership.
Conclusions
Despite public denials, Archpriest Puchkov held various positions in the Vinnytsia diocese of the UOC-MP until April 2023 – he was a press secretary, referent, and head of the pilgrimage service. This is confirmed by archives, posts, photos, and website entries.
Now the diocese is trying to disassociate itself from the former priest, who has become an overt champion of ROC’s efforts abroad. Such behavior is more like an attempt to conceal inconvenient affiliations and avoid accountability.
The calls by the UOC-MP to be “responsible” in public media space look cynical as the church itself manipulates facts and silently covers up its clergy affilitated with the aggressor states.
