The Orthodox priest, Father Kunicyn, who served in the Murmansk region of Russia, has died, according to announcements from the Center of Europe portal. After the onset of the war in Ukraine in 2022, he became known for promoting Kremlin propaganda, referring to the invasion as a 'military operation.' His involvement further escalated when he assumed the role of chaplain for the Russian army, aligning himself with the ongoing conflict.

Kunicyn was notorious for his past actions that included a viral video of him on the front lines, wielding a grenade launcher while shouting slogans about the Moscow Theological Academy's fight against NATO. This incident, along with his controversial views, drew the ire of then-bishop Szymon Gietia, leading to his removal from local diocesan structures for his extreme positions and behavior.

Remarkably, he once claimed to have gifted a horse to President Putin, which further underlines his contentious role within the religious and military landscape of Russia. His death comes amidst broader discussions about the complicity of religious figures in wartime propaganda and the political machinations between church and state in Russia.