The notorious metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UPC MP) Longyn (Mykhailo Zhar) was involved in a traffic accident while under the influence of alcohol. This was reported in the law enforcement agencies of the Chernivtsi region.
According to information, Metropolitan Longin and several other clergymen of the Banchen Holy Ascension Men's Monastery of the UOC MP celebrated the day of St. Panteleimon. After the celebration, Longinus got behind the wheel of a Lexus car owned by priest Todor Migaes, head of the St. Luke's Clinic at the Banchen Monastery.
However, after 25 km from the beginning of the movement, Longin, being in a drunken state, could not manage to control and flew off the road near the railway crossing in the village of Strumok. As a result of the accident, the car was heavily damaged, and the passengers were injured. Longinus ended up in intensive care.
According to the sources, the clerics who were traveling in another car called Vasyl Kozak, the head of the Dnistrovsky district. After that, according to reports, Kozak ordered Serhiy Lunza, the head of the Sokyryan police department, to hide information about the accident and the persons involved. At the same time, those involved tried to hide the Lexus, but did not have time to do so.
Metropolitan Longyn, who openly supported pro-Russian parties, in particular the Opposition Bloc, also has a reputation associated with his friendly relations with representatives of Viktor Yanukovych's regime. In particular, he was marked by a photo of him kissing the fugitive president.
After Russia's annexation of Crimea, Longin sided with Moscow, publicly criticizing the Ukrainian government, calling it "cursed" and "satanic." The war in Donbas since 2014 has been reinforced by his actions, which hindered mobilization in the region and denied Ukrainian military personnel church rites.
In November 2023, Longinus was accused of violating the equality of citizens based on religious beliefs. The court session in the case was held in the Hertsaiv district court. The suspicion is based on accusations of derogatory statements against the OCU, which, according to the expert opinion, may contribute to the incitement of religious enmity.
Metropolitan Longyn was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine with the award of the State Order (November 24, 2008) for "significant personal services to Ukraine in the implementation of the state policy of social protection of orphans and children deprived of parental care, many years of charitable activity."
