Zakarpatye bans Ukrainian Orthodox Church

MOSCOW. June 1 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has been banned in the Zakarpatye region, the regional council said on social media after its members made the decision.

The decision aims to bolster national security "in the sphere of the operation of public and religious organizations in the Zakarpatye region," the statement said.

As well the ban, the decision also sets out recommendations for law enforcement to ensure quick, effective response to any instances detected of anti-Ukrainian propaganda by representatives from religious, public, and other organizations.

Earlier, none of the UOC's 623 communities in Zakarpatye passed over to the noncanonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine.