A priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was physically assaulted in the Odessa oblast
February 20, 2017 – Unknown individuals have committed an attack on the Parish house at the Petropavlovsk cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) in the village of Vasilievka, Odessa oblast.
The evildoers have committed serious physical assault against the Archpriest Alexei Glushko. The priest heard noises at around 3:00 A.M. outside of his home, where he lived with his family. He noticed a man, who then immediately attacked him. The priest was able to stop the first attacker, but a second felon appeared. He began beating the priest with a metal object. After that, the criminals disappeared.
First aid was given to Father Alexei in the local medical center, and his health is judged to be of moderate gravity: he has numerous fractures and bruises on his face, shoulders and neck, as well as splintered hemorrhages A criminal investigation is currently being conducted. The identities of the criminals are not yet determined.
According to an early February report, the Odessa oblast has faced a wave of violence on its churches, which suffered desecration and burglary.