Ukrainian Foreign Ministry demands that Russia be held accountable for violations of religious freedom in territories not under Ukraine's control

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has published a statement regarding the state of freedom of religion in the territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation. The document outlines «systematic repressions» against religious organizations not subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The statement is available on the official MFA website.

It notes that Russian authorities are allegedly persecuting representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), Protestant, Catholic, and Muslim communities. One cited case is that of UOC priest Kostiantyn Maksymov, who was reportedly sentenced to 14 years in prison after refusing to join the ROC.

«Under the guise of ‘canonical order,’ the occupying administration forcibly subordinates independent religious communities to the ROC, persecutes clergy and believers, destroys church buildings, and promotes the ideology of the so-called ‘Russian World.’ The ROC implements the Kremlin’s aggressive policy and acts as an instrument for erasing Ukrainian identity,» the statement reads.

According to international organizations, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 67 clergy members from various denominations have been killed, and more than 640 places of worship have been damaged or destroyed. Eight UOC dioceses, over 1,600 parishes, and 23 monasteries have been incorporated into the ROC. All OCU communities in Crimea have been dismantled.

The statement also mentions the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Greek Catholic clergy, and Protestant pastors, including «cases of alleged torture, searches, and abductions of religious figures». The MFA references the positions of the UN, USCIRF, and IRFBA, which document religious rights violations in the occupied territories.

The Ministry calls on the international community to increase pressure on the Russian Federation and draw attention to the state of religious freedom in Ukraine’s occupied territories.

Earlier, the Ukrainian Centre for Countering Disinformation expressed concern over the Russian Orthodox Church’s growing influence in Africa. Since the establishment of the ROC Exarchate in Africa, parishes have been opened in 30 countries, with half of them launched in 2022.