Fire incidents at Ukrainian Orthodox Church sites in the Kiev region and related statements
A church belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) sits in a village within the Kiev region. A fire occurred at the Matrona church, and investigators are working to determine the fire’s causes. The incident was reported by the regional division of the State Emergency Service, which monitors fires and other emergencies across the area.
On the evening of April 13, at 20:50, the operational dispatch service for the Vyshhorod region received the alert about the blaze. The fire eventually spread to a large portion of the building. Firefighters managed to localize the flames and extinguished them within about thirty minutes, preventing further damage to adjacent structures. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and investigators continue to determine the precise reasons for the fire and how it began in this local church facility.
Earlier in the year, on January 20, 2023, a separate fire occurred at another temple associated with the UOC in the village of Hnedin in the Boryspil district of the Kiev region. Five fire units were dispatched to this location to fight the flames and protect the building as it burned. The response underscores the rapid mobilization of regional fire services to protect religious sites and surrounding homes during emergencies.
In broader national commentary, on April 12, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Alexei Danilov, spoke about religious institutions in the country. He reiterated that churches with links to Russia should not operate freely within Ukrainian boundaries, a stance aligned with the government’s security priorities regarding religious organizations. Separately, authorities in the Volyn region had already moved to restrict certain activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in that area, reflecting ongoing regional policy decisions related to religious groups and safety concerns.
These developments illustrate the ongoing tension surrounding religious institutions in Ukraine, particularly in regions with diverse religious communities and complex historical ties. Local authorities continue to monitor church buildings for safety, while national officials articulate positions intended to balance freedom of worship with security interests. Investigators will likely publish findings about the causes of each fire, and regional emergency services will maintain readiness to respond to any future incidents. The communities impacted by these events remain attentive to the welfare of congregants and the preservation of sacred spaces, even as officials address the broader questions of religious governance and public safety.