Explosion in Odesa, possible ban of Moscow Patriarchate, blood-stained parcels to Ukraine embassies: today's highlights
The Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to submit to the Verkhovna Rada a bill that would make it impossible for religious organizations affiliated with Russia to operate in Ukraine. An explosion occurred in the center of Odesa, and Ukrainian embassies continue to receive threats. We collected the main news for today.
Zelenskyy enacts NSDC decision to ban UOC-MP in Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council to ban the activities of religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence in Russia in Ukraine.
According to the NSDC decision, the Cabinet of Ministers must submit to the Verkhovna Rada within two months a bill that will make it impossible for religious organizations affiliated with Russia to operate in Ukraine.
In addition, the government has to check within two months whether the conditions of use of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery and its property are observed, as well as whether there are any legal grounds for such use.
The State Service for Ethnic Policy should within two months conduct a religious examination of the Statute on the management of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for the presence of church-canonical connection with the Moscow Patriarchate.
In addition, the NSDC imposed personal sanctions against 10 figures of the UOC-MP. Among them are former MP and deacon Vadym Novynskyi, as well as the abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Bishop Pavlo (Lebid).
Eight embassies and consulates of Ukraine receive blood-stained packages
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine provided details of threats received by Ukrainian embassies. Allegedly, blood-stained packages with animal eyes were sent to diplomatic institutions.
After the explosion at the embassy in Madrid, the embassies of Ukraine in Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Croatia, Italy, the consulates general in Naples and Krakow, the consulate in Brno received such packages.
Later it was reported that the Embassy of Ukraine in Spain also received a blood-stained package.
Explosion occurs in center of Odesa: seven people injured
An explosion occurred in the center of Odesa. According to the police, seven people were injured.
According to preliminary data, patrol policemen stopped a car on Prokhorivska Street, during the inspection of which they found explosive objects in the trunk. The patrol policemen called the investigative team of the territorial unit at the scene, after which the explosion occurred.
Defense forces have already destroyed over 90,000 Russian troops since February
Ukrainian servicemen killed 650 Russian soldiers on December 1. During the full-scale war Russia lost 90,090 of its military.
In addition, the Armed Forces destroyed 2,916 tanks, 5,883 armored combat vehicles and 280 enemy aircraft.
In case of blackout, free buses will be launched in Kyiv, subway will be suspended
The limit on electricity consumption has been increased in Kyiv — the capital is gradually approaching scheduled blackouts. However, accidents in the power system are becoming more frequent.
At the same time, the mayor of the capital Vitaliy Klychko said that in the event of a complete lack of power supply, buses with free travel will operate on all land transport routes. The subway will have to be suspended.
Banksy graffiti cut out in Kyiv Oblast
On December 2, Banksy graffiti was cut out in Hostomel, Kyiv Oblast. Police detained a group of people who were going to steal the work with a woman in a gas mask and a fire extinguisher in her hands.
Around 11:30 a.m., residents of Hostomel reported to the police that unknown persons were cutting out Banksy's painting, which he had painted on the wall of a war-torn building.
The police detained a group of eight people aged 27 to 60 years. They are residents of Kyiv and Cherkasy. Law enforcement officers seized the graffiti and launched a pre-trial investigation.