The police of Ukraine and employees of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra reserve have been blocking the entrance to the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God on the territory of the monastery since Friday morning. Lawyer Nikita Chekman spoke about this on April 21 in his Telegram channel, acting in the interests of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

“Right now, the reserve, accompanied by police, is blocking the entrance to the temple in honor of the icon of the Mother of God “Life-Giving Spring” of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, they are demanding that the temple be closed,” he wrote.

Chekman also published a photo of a document issued by the reserve, which indicates that from 00:00 to Moscow time on April 21, restrictions are introduced on the movement of vehicles and the stay of visitors on the territory of the Lower Lavra. The introduction of restrictions is explained by the need to ensure the work of the commission of the Ministry of Culture for the acceptance and transfer of property.

In addition, the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ) in its Telegram channel reports that a large number of law enforcement officers arrived on the territory of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, among whom special police were noticed.

It is also known that law enforcement officers cut the locks from the 44th building of the monastery, and also turned off the alarm there.

The UOJ also published a video showing police officers at the building and the doors to the building open after the break-in.

The day before, on April 20, the UOJ reported that Ukrainian police officers with machine guns again arrived on the territory of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The footage shows how more than ten security officials in red berets stand in a chain near the monastery. According to the union, there is a repeated attempt to capture the 39th building of the monastery. People are not allowed to his doors. Parishioners who were inside the gallery of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra were taken out of the building.