"Controversial Link: Russian Orthodox Church Backing Private Military Company"

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is allegedly funding a private military company (PMC) called Andreyevsky Krest, according to reports by Ukrainian intelligence agencies. The ROC is said to be collecting donations from its congregations throughout Russia to finance the PMC, which is operating from the Kronstadt Naval Cathedral in St Petersburg. The SBU, Ukraine's Security Service, claims that the PMC is actively recruiting parishioners, providing military training within the cathedral's premises, and sending mercenaries to Ukraine. The ROC's involvement in funding and supporting the PMC is seen as a criminal activity and is under investigation.