Story By: Gheorghi Caraseni, Sub Editor:  Joseph Golder,  Agency: Newsflash

A Ukrainian religious sect that opposes electricity and does not believe in diseases has reportedly become infected with COVID-19.

Fourteen residents of the Kashketniki community, a traditional protestant sect with similar practices to the Amish, have tested positive for COVID-19 in the village of Kosmirin in the western Ukrainian region of Ternopil Oblast, according to reports.

Local media said the 14 devotees, who deny the existence of diseases, contracted COVID-19 in a 24-hour period.

The sect reportedly attacked several journalists who visited their village last month regarding illegal mining works being carried out in the area.

One unnamed journalist said: “They surrounded us and the cameraman and they refused to let us leave the village for about an hour. They threatened us with axes.”

According to local media, the police had to arrive on the scene to resolve the issue.

The Kashketniki sect lives outside of the modern world and devotees only marry within their community.

Similar with other religious cults, if a member marries outside of the community or abandons the way of life, they are ostracised by friends, family and neighbours.

The community rejects electricity and modern technological advancements and the women wear colourful headscarves while the men wear black peaked caps.

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