RDK fighter Ilya Bogdanov, former FSB officer, becomes PCU priest

RDK serviceman receives priestly ordination

Ilya Bogdanov, who previously served as an officer in the Russian FSB Border Service and now fights on Ukraine's side as part of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), has become a priest of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. He announced this himself on his Instagram account.

The ordination ceremony, which is the conferral of priestly rank, took place on 26 October, the feast day of Saint Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki. During the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Oleksandr Drabynko of Pereiaslav and Vyshneve ordained Bogdanov as a priest.

«Відтепер я священник Православної церкви України та капелан Російського добровольчого корпусу» ("From now on, I am a priest of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and a chaplain of the Russian Volunteer Corps"), Bogdanov wrote.

Gratitude for trust and future plans

The new priest thanked Metropolitan Oleksandr for his trust and spiritual mentorship. He also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the commander of the RDK, his wife, friends, and everyone who supported him on his path to the priesthood.

Bogdanov emphasised his readiness for further service:

«Маю сили, бажання та рішучість розвивати капеланське служіння. Попереду багато праці, випробувань і несподіванок. Але вірю, що Господь, Який привів мене на цей шлях, не залишить і надалі» ("I have the strength, desire, and determination to develop chaplaincy. There is a lot of work, trials, and surprises ahead. But I believe that the Lord, who led me on this path, will not leave me in the future").

He also asked the faithful for prayers so that he would be worthy of his calling and "faithfully serve God, the Church, and people".

Commenting on possible joking reactions to his new role, Ilya Bogdanov added with humour: «За жарти про "ФСБ у рясі" відправлятиму до пекла. Жартую, лише в безстроковий чорний список» ("I will send anyone making jokes about 'the FSB in a cassock' to hell. I am joking, only to the permanent blacklist").

The path from sword to word

In March 2026, Ilya Bogdanov received the rank of deacon in the PCU, which was also performed by Metropolitan Oleksandr Drabynko. At that time, he said that he had always felt a calling to the priesthood, although for a long time he had tried to avoid it, being convinced that his destiny was military service.

After his diaconal ordination, he returned to fulfilling combat duties but stated that he would no longer take part in killing enemies.

«Висвятився – і назад у сектор, хоча тепер уже без права вбивати. Тут без варіантів. Але, як то кажуть, із цим у мене план виконано. Послужив мечем, тепер послужу словом. Надалі сподіваюся довжитися на священника. Сподіваюся, Господь управить» ("I was ordained – and back to the sector, although now without the right to kill. There is no alternative here. But, as they say, I have fulfilled my plan in this regard. I served with the sword, now I will serve with the word. In the future, I hope to live long enough to become a priest. I hope the Lord will guide me").

Now this intention has been fully realised.

Who is Ilya Bogdanov

Ilya Bogdanov is a former officer of the Russian FSB Border Service who switched sides to Ukraine. He participates in combat operations against Russian occupiers as part of the RDK, which is linked to the GUR of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence.

In addition to his military and religious activities, Bogdanov is known as the founder of the Korean restaurant "Pyun-Se" in Kyiv.

Russian special services have repeatedly attempted to eliminate him. Bogdanov himself joked after his ordination as a deacon that any attempt on his life would now also be an attempt on a clergyman of the Orthodox Church.

In February 2025, he re-established contact after a disappearance lasting several months.