Pre-trial restraint for Metropolitan Pavel and Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council: highlights of the day
The court imposed a pre—trial restraint on Metropolitan Pavel (Lebed) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, Russia took over the presidency of the UN Security Council, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy imposed sanctions on more than 650 people. We have collected the key news for today.
Pre-trial restraint for Metropolitan Pavlo
Investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine served a notice of suspicion to the abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavlo (Lebed) of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate for inciting religious hatred, justifying and denying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. Pavel himself says that he is accused of having allegedly “cursed the president”, which he says he did not do.
Metropolitan Pavlo was summoned for questioning. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate showed footage of two officers of the Security Service of Ukraine accompanying him. Lebed said that his home and the Lavra were being searched.
The faithful of the UOC-MP, who gathered in the Lavra, supported Metropolitan Pavel and shouted to him: “We are with you”. However, he left the Lavra to shouts of “Shame” and “Thank you, SBU (Security Service of Ukraine – ed.)”.
At first, the court adjourned and wanted to postpone the hearing to April 3, as the Metropolitan complained of a deterioration in his health. But later, the court agreed to bring Lebed to the hearing by force. The UOC claimed that Metropolitan Pavel was taken to court directly from the hospital.
Eventually, the court sent Metropolitan Pavel to round-the-clock house arrest for 2 months with an obligation to wear an electronic bracelet.
Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council
On April 1, Russia took over the presidency of the UN Security Council for a month. The Baltic states — Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia — have already opposed Russia's presidency.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia's presidency proves the “complete bankruptcy” of international institutions, while Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on UN Security Council members to prevent any attempts by Russia to abuse its presidency.
New sanctions
On April 1, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to impose sanctions on several individuals and legal entities. The list includes 273 individuals and 380 legal entities.
In particular, the President imposed sanctions on former Motor Sich President Viacheslav Bohuslaiev and Russian military commander Sergey Karakayev.
Ukraine to buy 100 Polish armored personnel carriers
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has announced that Ukraine will purchase 100 Polish Rosomak (Wolverine) wheeled armored personnel carriers.
“‘Wolverines’ are top-of-the-line armored personnel carriers. This purchase will be paid for with EU and US money,” Morawiecki wrote.
Situation at the frontline
Russians are focusing their main efforts on conducting offensive operations in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka sectors. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled more than 50 attacks there over the last day. The fiercest battles remain for the areas of Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported.
The number of attacks by Russian troops on the Bakhmut section of the frontline has decreased in recent days. The spokesperson for the Eastern Military Group, Serhii Cherevatyi, said that this was due to the powerful strikes of the Defense Forces against the occupiers, as well as weather conditions and attempts by the Russians to regroup their forces.
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