Monks defy eviction order from historic Kyiv monastery.

Monks at a Kyiv monastery have refused to leave following accusations of links to Russia, leading to an eviction deadline from the Ukrainian government. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) officially cut ties with the Moscow Patriarchate after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but Kyiv believes the UOC is still dependent on Moscow. The government terminated the lease that allowed the monks to stay at the monastery caves at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, but the monks have refused to leave, citing a lack of obligation to do so. The UOC denies breaking tenancy agreements and constructing buildings illegally, but Kyiv accuses the church of maintaining ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, which has supported Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.