Zelensky signs decree to deprive Patriarch Kirill of Ukrainian state awards

On November 22, 2024, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree enacting the NSDC’s decision to deprive “traitors of Ukraine” of state awards; 34 people will be deprived of their awards first. The list of “traitors to Ukraine” also includes the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. This was reported by Ukrayinska Pravda.

It is reported that the first list includes 34 people. Among them are former government officials, MPs, heads of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General’s Office, prosecutors, artists, Russian political, religious and cultural figures. All of them have been deprived of Ukrainian state awards for life. The list also includes the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, who was awarded the Order of Yaroslav the Wise, first class, in 2013 by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

Earlier we reported that the Czech Republic imposed sanctions against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill. The rationale for the decision states that Patriarch Kirill “actively supports Russian aggression in Ukraine by his actions”.