Russian priest who fired grenade ‘against NATO’ reported killed in Ukraine
Pavel Kunitsyn, a priest who previously taught ‘patriotism and bravery’ at a military school in Murmansk, has been reported killed in Ukraine.
"Brothers and sisters! Father Pavel Kunitsyn has fallen in the line of duty. May the Lord rest his soul. Eternal memory to this war hero," a man with ties to the Russian Orthodox Church wrote on social media.
Kunitsyn had been serving at the front since 2022 and, for a time, provided war reports to a propaganda channel on Telegram. In one report, he stated that he was "on duty, fit for combat, and working in harmony with the local civilian population."
He gained widespread attention in 2022 when, dressed in traditional Orthodox vestments, he fired a grenade launcher at Ukrainian positions. "The Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary is fighting NATO," he declared in a video from the front line, adding, "Christ has risen!" Before firing, he appeared to struggle with the trigger, exclaiming, "Fuck!"
Before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kunitsyn taught ‘patriotism and bravery’ at a cadet school in Murmansk. He also had political ambitions, running for a seat in the municipal council of Severomorsk, the headquarters city of the Northern Fleet, in 2016.
An avid equestrian, Kunitsyn founded a company promoting hippotherapy, a treatment using horses for people with neurological or physical conditions. He reportedly gifted a horse to Vladimir Putin during one of the president’s annual press conferences.
The controversies surrounding Kunitsyn ultimately led to his expulsion from the Murmansk diocese. Bishop Simon, who led the diocese at the time, condemned him, stating:
"It is an undeniable and sad fact that there are many scoundrels and opportunists in our country. It is difficult to call them patriots; they are, rather, opportunists. It is dangerous and sad when they become members of municipal councils or the Duma, or leaders of political parties."
Bishop Simon was soon replaced by the hardline Mitrofan, who has since headed the Murmansk diocese. Under Mitrofan, a significant number of local priests have been sent to occupied Ukrainian territories. Some are believed to have served while armed. Among them is Sergei Cherichenko, a priest normally based in Sputnik, home to the 61st Naval Infantry Brigade.
