Russia urges attention to alleged persecution of Orthodox believers in Ukraine

​​​​​​​By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Russian Foreign Ministry responded Wednesday to a report by the Young Republican National Federation of the US that alleges mass violations of the rights of Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) believers, saying the situation reflects long-standing concerns.

Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russia has repeatedly raised the issue of “religious persecution” in Ukraine, citing its own reports from 2023 and 2025 that document what it calls discriminatory actions by Ukrainian authorities, including church seizures and forced re-registrations.

She accused the Ukrainian government of favoring the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which she claimed was promoted through state-backed efforts beginning in 2018.

Zakharova said more than 500 UOC parishes were forcibly transferred to the OCU between 2019 and 2021.

She urged international actors to pay attention to the concerns, claiming that Western governments and institutions often remain silent.

“We will continue raising this issue on international platforms,” she said, emphasizing Russia’s commitment to defending religious freedoms.

Reports by US conservative groups claim more than 1,500 cases of alleged violations, including police involvement in church takeovers.

Kyiv has not responded.​​​​​​​