Ukraine's DESS to review Balta Eparchy of UOC (MP) for ties to Russian Orthodox Church
Ukraine's State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) will conduct a review of the Balta Eparchy administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) for possible ties to the Russian Orthodox Church. The investigation is part of ongoing state efforts to sever institutional connections between the UOC (MP) and the Russian Orthodox Church, which is banned in Ukraine.
Key points
- DESS will review the Balta Eparchy administration of the UOC (MP) for possible ties to the Russian Orthodox Church.
- The review was approved by DESS order No. Н-142/11 dated September 2, 2026.
- The investigation is carried out under the Law of Ukraine 'On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations' and a Cabinet of Ministers procedure approved by resolution dated May 9, 2025.
- DESS says it is acting within current legislation, respecting religious freedom, and will publicly present its findings.
- On July 22, 2026, DESS published findings that the Pochayiv Holy Dormition Lavra is affiliated with the banned Russian Orthodox Church; on July 27, 2026, it ordered the monastery to sever those ties within 30 days.
- The Balta Eparchy administration of the UOC has USREOU code 38184534.
- A research group formed under DESS order No. Н-106/11 dated June 19, 2026 will begin the investigation on September 4.
Why it matters
The review is part of ongoing Ukrainian state efforts to identify and sever institutional ties between the UOC (MP) and the Russian Orthodox Church. Findings could result in legal restrictions or required structural changes affecting the Balta Eparchy administration.
What happened
Ukraine's State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) will conduct a review of the Balta Eparchy administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) for possible ties to the Russian Orthodox Church. The decision to conduct the investigation was approved by DESS order No. Н-142/11 dated September 2, 2026. A research group formed under DESS order No. Н-106/11 dated June 19, 2026 will begin the investigation on September 4. The investigation is being carried out under the Law of Ukraine 'On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations' and the Cabinet of Ministers procedure approved by resolution dated May 9, 2025. The Balta Eparchy administration of the UOC has USREOU code 38184534. DESS stated it is acting exclusively within current legislation, respecting religious freedom, and that any signs of foreign influence or subordination to banned structures will be thoroughly examined, with results to be publicly presented.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian agency coverage frames the action as a formal, law-based procedure under the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations and a Cabinet of Ministers resolution, with explicit assurances that religious freedom is being respected.
Background
On July 22, 2026, DESS published findings that the Pochayiv Holy Dormition Lavra is affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church, which is banned in Ukraine. On July 27, 2026, DESS issued the Pochayiv Lavra monastery a directive to eliminate ties to the Russian Orthodox Church within 30 days. The Russian Orthodox Church has been designated a foreign religious organization whose activity is banned in Ukraine.