The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Affairs and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has completed an investigation into whether the Pochaiv Holy Dormition Lavra has signs of affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine.

The DESS announced the findings on its website, according to Ukrinform.

"The results of the investigation established that such signs are present. In particular, it was determined that the Pochaiv Holy Dormition Lavra is a structural unit of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and is part of the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC, which, under Ukrainian law, is recognized as affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine," the statement said.

The investigation also confirmed that the Lavra's charter and documents regulating its activities demonstrate its affiliation with the structure of the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC.

In addition, the investigation found that the charter of the Russian Orthodox Church provides for the head of the Pochaiv Holy Dormition Lavra to be included in the ROC's statutory governing bodies.

According to the DESS, the order establishing signs of the Pochaiv Lavra's affiliation was issued on the basis of Ukraine's Law On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations, the Law On Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activities of Religious Organizations, and the procedure for conducting investigations into possible affiliation, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The decision was made following an investigation that began on June 24, 2026, in accordance with current legislation.

As reported by Ukrinform, the review of the Pochaiv Lavra's links to the Russian Orthodox Church was launched following a significant number of appeals.