Head of DESS: "Provocateurs are trying to drag UOC believers into conflict with the state and society"

On August 25, 2025, the All-Ukrainian Forum of Conservative Politics “Faith, Family, Freedom” was held in Kyiv, dedicated to issues of religious freedom. Among the participants was the head of the DESS Viktor Yelensky, who stated that, unlike many post-Soviet countries that first proclaimed freedom of religion and later effectively restricted this right, Ukraine has remained on the fundamental principles of religious freedom, as enshrined in international documents. According to him, the state has created legislative mechanisms to protect these principles. This information was reported on the DESS website.

In addition, Yelensky stated that the ROC “has proclaimed its mission to destroy Ukrainian statehood, culture, and identity,” which, in his opinion, became one of the reasons for the Ukrainian parliament’s adoption of Law No. 3894 on the prohibition of the UOC’s activities.

The head of the DESS also emphasized that there are allegedly individuals trying to discredit the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC and involve its believers in conflict with the state and society. “I have debunked the main myths regarding the decree issued to the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC, which are spread by provocateurs to push UOC believers into confrontation,” Yelensky stressed.

It is worth noting that the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (USCC) claims that if the Ukrainian Orthodox Church does not comply with the state’s requirements and sever ties with the Moscow Patriarchate by August 24, the Service will file a lawsuit seeking a complete ban on the UOC. At the same time, the official claims that the court proceedings on this matter will proceed much faster than expected by the UOC.