On February 28, 2025, Russian security services announced the arrest of two individuals accused of plotting to assassinate Metropolitan Tikhon of Simferopol and Crimea. The Federal Security Service (FSB) reported this act was part of coordinated efforts allegedly involving Ukrainian intelligence, which has heightened tensions between the two nations.
The two suspects, identified as Denis Popovich and Nikita Ivankovich, were arrested after being accused of preparing to employ explosive devices to carry out their plan. The authorities stated they were recruited by operatives from the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense to eliminate Tikhon, who is perceived as having significant influence within the Russian Orthodox Church and is often referred to as President Vladimir Putin’s confessor.
Initially, the assassination attempt was set for the beginning of 2025, but following the arrest of Popovich on January 13, plans were delayed. After his detainment for allegedly disorderly conduct, investigators cleared him of earlier offenses and later leveled charges related to terrorism and possession of explosives.
According to FSB sources, Popovich, who played the role of Tikhon's assistant, detailed on video how he was pressured by the intelligence operatives. He stated, "There was set forth the task of physically eliminating and attempting to assassinate Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov), of which Popovich Denis is an employee. The first attempt was planned for the beginning of 2025, but since Denis was detained, it was not carried out, hence the assassination was scheduled for the end of February 2025," confirming the sinister timeline of their plan.
It was reported by FSB officials, "A homemade explosive device and two forged Ukrainian passports were seized, which they presumably planned to use after the crime." The detonator was intended to be set off during his private prayers at the Sretensky Monastery. Law enforcement highlighted the seriousness of the situation, as over 70 Ukrainian contacts, including those linked to Ukraine's military, were found on the suspects' phones.
The particulars of how the alleged plot was discovered remain partly classified, but hints suggest sophisticated counterintelligence actions were at play. The FSB conducted operations which led to the infiltration of the suspects’ networks, particularly focusing on the communication tactics employed by Ukrainian operatives.
This alarming alleged act is not isolated. It reflects the broader geopolitical conflicts intertwining religious leadership and state security affairs within contemporary Russia. Metropolitan Tikhon, prior to his current role since 2023, headed the Pskov Diocese from 2018, and has been seen not just as a religious figure but as part of the state’s machination.
The fallout from this plot could be substantial, triggering increased scrutiny of Ukrainian-Russian relations particularly around dissent among military actions and religious leadership roles. It raises questions around how far geopolitical tensions have penetrated the sacred institutions of faith, intertwining them with national security concerns.
While the immediate threat appears to have been neutralized, analysts argue the potential for future plots might exist due to the sensitive political-and-religious environment. The incident also serves as a stern reminder of the increasingly blurred lines between faith and politics.
Reverberations from this event are expected to echo across both national and international communities as they process the alarming potential of politically motivated violence within ecclesiastical contexts. The Russian Orthodox Church is now facing pressure to respond to threats against its leadership, putting additional strain on its relationship with the state amid challenging sociopolitical climates.
This incident serves not only to highlight the precarious position of religious figures but also marks another chapter of conflict between Russia and Ukraine, reminding the world of the sensitive nature of faith and the extent to which it can be manipulated as leverage within geopolitical disputes.