Ukrainian Orthodox Church badly damaged in arson attack

Case information
Incident date
Country
Ukraine
Place
Zhytomyr
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Arson
Place of Incident
  • Church
Bias Indicators
  • Lack of Other Motive
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated
Image credit: Pravoslavie.ru

On the evening of 4 September, the Pokrovsky Church of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the village of Zeremlya, Zhytomyr region, caught fire. Police are investigating arson.

The fire was localised at 11.50 pm and completely extinguished after midnight, but the temple burned to the ground inside and out.

According to the regional department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the fire destroyed the roof, floors and property inside the building.

The preliminary conclusion of the police officers is that the fire was the result of deliberate arson, committed by criminals.

Due to the tensions around the political situation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a political motive cannot be excluded.

Source: Pravoslavie.ru