In Uzhhorod, customs officers seized a Russian-made bell for the UOC-MP

Customs officers discovered a bronze bell from Russia at the Uzhhorod-Vyshne Nemetske checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Slovak border. The item was trying to enter Ukraine without proper documentation.

Transcarpathian customs officers detained a 63-year-old man trying to transport a bell weighing over 140 kg across the border from Slovakia without declaring it. The customs made this information public.

The incident occurred when a man returning from abroad tried to transport a restricted item through the “green corridor” without declaring it. Customs officers discovered a church bell, “Blagovest,” made in Russia, in the luggage compartment of his minibus. The bell’s estimated value exceeded 1,000 euros, making its movement without customs clearance illegal.

A report has been drawn against the man for violating customs rules under Part 2 of Article 471 of the Customs Code of Ukraine.

Journalist Vitaliy Glagola commented on this case in his Telegram channel, noting that the bell, weighing 150 kg, was made in Voronezh and delivered to Hieromonk Panteleimon Rastvorov from the village of Synevyrska Polyana, who serves in the Khust Eparchy of the UOC-MP under the leadership of Metropolitan Mark (Petrovtsiya), a citizen of Russia.

“While the war continues in Ukraine, bells from the aggressor country are waiting in Transcarpathian churches. This is not only a symbol of faith, but also a symbol of influence, which can still be heard from behind the curb,” Glagola noted, commenting on the situation.

Head of Chernivtsi Customs Yuriy Gerasimov, in his annual declaration 2024, indicated significant income, including a pension and a gift to his wife for a million hryvnias.