KIEV, July 27 – Ukrainian authorities on Wednesday managed to avert any confrontation between a massive pro-Moscow religious procession and nationalist groups in Kiev, national police chief Khatia Dekanoidze said.

The procession of thousands was stopped by police near Kiev on Tuesday after the authorities found live grenades planted along the rout. The nationalists earlier confronted the Orthodox worshipers as "agents of Moscow."

"We are checking all those who look suspicious. Police is working,” Dekanoidze said. “There are no serious offences. Everything is quiet.”

This eases concerns over possible confrontation amid speculation the religious march from Kharkiv to Kiev has been designed by the Kremlin to try to spark clashes in Ukraine.

The Interior Ministry on Tuesday ordered the police to stop the controversial procession from entering Kiev on security concerns, according to Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.

Police found mock mines and actual live grenades planted along the planned route of the procession.

The religious event marks the adoption of Christianity in the early Slavic state Kievan Rus during the 10th century.

Both Russia and Ukraine are dominantly Eastern Orthodox, but the Ukrainian believers are divided between rival denominations. The controversial march is organized by the Ukrainian branch of the Russian church, which is subordinate to the Moscow patriarch.

Several weeks ago, hundreds of worshipers from the east and the west headed toward the planned meeting point in Kiev on foot carrying icons and crosses. The move, allegedly aimed to promote peace, sparked harsh criticism from Ukrainian nationalists who believe it to be a Kremlin-backed provocation.

On Monday, right-wingers blocked some of the marchers from entering Kiev, pelting them with eggs and calling them "agents of Moscow." The protesters also carried a banner saying: "Moscow patriarchate = spiritual occupiers.” Other far-right organizations threatened to attack the event if the marchers entered Kiev.

On Tuesday, authorities announced they found several suspicious objects in the Kiev region, including explosive and smoke grenades.

Some of the material was discovered "3 to 5 meters" from the curb, presenting a 'real threat' to the participants, said Anton Herashenko from the Interior Ministry. (nr/ez)