Shocking footage shows the bloody scenes at St Michael's Cathedral in Cherkasy, with those involved in the fighting grabbing sticks, buckets, pieces of fence, and even benches at the world's fourth largest Orthodox cathedral in central Ukraine.
The fight followed a move in Ukraine to quash the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church which overtly backs dictator Vladimir Putin and his invasion, with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church asserting its control of the cathedral.
Supporters of the pro-Putin Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate attempted to storm the cathedral whose worshippers had opted to belong to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, according to reports.
It appears that overnight in battles which involved a force in military fatigues with yellow armbands who smashed their way in, pro-Kyiv believers took control of the cathedral.
But pro-Moscow elements won it back.
Later the pro-Kyiv forces regrouped and seized back control of the cathedral, built in 2002.
Boroshno News reported: 'The situation in Cherkasy is more dynamic than at the front. The pro-Ukrainian forces regrouped and, as a result of a sudden counterattack, took the cathedral back.'
Several people needed treatment for wounds.
Metropolitan Feodosiy [Teodosiy], leader of the church linked to Moscow in the region, arrived at the scene during the clashes.
Despite the war, he has held sway at the cathedral - until now. Feodosiy has been accused of inciting inter-religious enmity and denying armed aggression by Putin.
The brawl lasted six hours and involved many clergymen and members of the church
Soldiers (with yellow bands around their arms) tried to separate the brawling churchgoers (left), while others took matters into their own hand by subduing a man outside the cathedral (right)
He was also blamed for 'subversive activity' against Ukraine.
At one point, Cherkasy mayor Anatoly Bondarenko said: 'I invite everyone to come and express their opinion about the existence of a Moscow church in our city.'
Military chaplain Father Nazarii, in a comment to Ukrainian media outlet Suspilnyi, said it was vital Kyiv won the standoff.
'The Russian Orthodox Church occupied the territory of the St. Michael's Cathedral and is hypocritically called the Ukrainian Church,' he said.
'But in fact, we heard their services, where they already commemorate Patriarch Kirill [staunchly pro-war Putin-loyal head of the Russian Orthodox Church], and do not pray for the Ukrainian army….
'It is necessary to free the whole of Ukraine from Russian occupation and spiritual occupation.'
Regional governor Igor Taburets said law enforcement officers are investigating the situation, but he backed the move for Ukraine to control the holy building.
'Every religious community has the legal right to change its subordination in canonical and organisational matter' he said.
'The course towards the spiritual independence of Ukraine is unchanged.'