Tags

Ukraine

• Verdict Expected for Priest Charged with Espionage

  

  When Father Kostiantyn Maksimov was taken captive by Russian occupation forces in May 2023, little was known about the whereabouts of the Ukrainian Orthodox priest. In late March 2024, the Russian prosecutor for the Zaporizhzhia Region announced that Father Kostiantyn would be facing espionage charges. (For more details, see this report.)

• Russian Forces Charge Another Church Leader

  

  In May 2023, Father Kostiantyn Maksimov, a priest from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was taken by Russian occupation forces. Several other religious leaders have either been killed, tortured or reported missing after being detained by members of the Russian forces.

• Priest Fatally Tortured; Others Facing Deportation

  

  Members of the Russian occupation forces seized Father Stepan Podolchak on February 13th. The Christian leader had been serving as the abbot of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Kalanchak, a village located within the Russian-occupied Kherson Region. Taking him away with a bag over his head, the soldiers insisted that he go with them for questioning. Two days later, Father Stepan's battered body was found on the village street. Some reports state that he had also suffered a bullet wound to the head. 

• Mysterious Disappearance of Imprisoned Church Leaders

  

  A recently published Persecution & Prayer Alert report had requested prayer for various churches that were forcibly closed in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. (To review the previously posted report, go to this page.)Further reports have since been released informing that other churches have faced similar trials.

• Abducted Pastor and His Wife Released!

  

  The previous month, a report from the Persecution & Prayer Alert addressed concerns over the ongoing harassment experienced by churches in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. It was reported that the leader of the Kurchatov Church in Mariupol, together with his wife, had been abducted by Russian soldiers. At that time, their location was unknown. (For more information, see this page.)

• Ongoing Harassment in Russian-Occupied Territories

  

  As Russian forces continue their invasion of Ukraine, referenda have been held in regions of the country presently occupied by Russian soldiers. Widely dismissed as a "scam," the referenda seek to demonstrate that the people of these regions want to join Russia. The alleged votes would then render any action by the Ukrainian military in these areas an "invasion" of Russian territory.

• Christians Persecuted in Russian-Occupied Areas

  

  Several recently occurring incidents have led to charges against citizens of Russian-occupied Crimea. In a report published on July 5th, Forum 18 outlines several instances of harassment against Christians and Muslims, demonstrating the oppressive control that Russia is forcing upon people living within areas of the peninsula.

• Four Churches Encounter Harassment

  

  Since the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine came under the control of Russian-backed separatists in 2014, Christians in the area have faced severe restrictions from military leaders. Today, as the Russian invasion takes further control of eastern Ukraine, it is expected that similar religious constraints will expand to all areas of Russian occupation. For more information on the persecution experienced by Christians residing in eastern Ukraine, go to our list of reports.

• Christian Persecution Under Russian Control

  

  As the world's focus remains on the devastating violence being inflicted on the people of Ukraine, many are wondering what this could mean for those of the country's Christian community. In the days leading up to the initial attack by Russian forces, pastors spoke messages of encouragement and care. In fact, so many Ukrainians were seeking God for needed comfort, and wanting to turn to the Scriptures in search of answers, that the Bible Society store in Kyiv ran out of Bibles.

• Christian Literature Deemed "Extremist"

  

  A court in the self-declared Luhansk People's Republic of eastern Ukraine has declared four more Christian books "extremist" after confiscating these resources from local church members. The official list of banned literature now contains 26 titles, including 18 books published by Protestant Christians and six by Jehovah's Witnesses. One of the items is a Russian translation of the Gospel of John, which was banned in November 2019 (learn more).

• Harassment Against Unregistered Churches

  

  Leaders of the unrecognized Luhansk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine have continued a campaign against unregistered church communities. The pro-Russian leaders of this breakaway region insist on registration for all religious organizations. However, of the 195 organizations registered in 2019, 188 were Russian Orthodox. The remaining seven are either Muslim, Old Believer, Jewish or Catholic. No Protestant churches have been allowed to register.

• Books Banned in Luhansk

  

  Authorities in the unrecognized Luhansk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine have banned 12 books, including a popular translation of the Gospel of John, calling them "extremist" materials. The November 26th ban came a week after the Luhansk Supreme Court overturned a ruling ordering the destruction of books belonging to a Baptist pastor. Along with the Gospel of John, the banned books include the main hymnbook used by the Council of Churches Baptists, a regular magazine published by the church group, as well as children's books.

• Worship Ban in Luhansk

  

  As of 2014, the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine has been under the control of rebels. Since then, the self-declared government imposed oppressive religious restrictions. Last year, an order was made that no religious groups may hold services of any kind without registration. Subsequent to the deadline of October 2018, no Protestant church of any kind was granted registration. (See this report for more details.)

• Increasing Restrictions in Breakaway Regions

  

  Areas in eastern Ukraine, now controlled by Russian-backed rebels, have placed increasingly harsh restrictions on any non-Orthodox religious groups. Christians are facing demands to register, as well as orders to stop all religious activities.

• Registration Deadline Passes for Luhansk Churches

  

  Since rebels in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine declared independence in 2014, the self-declared government has oppressed religious groups in various ways. As part of their efforts to control the churches, the Luhansk State Security Ministry announced a complete ban on one Baptist denomination for not submitting to compulsory registration. For more information, click here.

• Armed Raids and Fines in Luhansk

  

  In the self-declared Luhansk People's Republic, armed police are frequently raiding worship services, seizing literature and fining those in attendance. Along with the raids, the Luhansk State Security Ministry has announced a complete ban on the All-Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Christian/Baptist Churches, claiming that the organization has refused to submit to compulsory local registration.

• Religious Freedom Under Threat

  One year since the annexation of Crimea by Russia, Ukrainian Christians say they are facing persecution by separatists. Evangelical churches in particular have come under severe restrictions in Crimea, and a church leader is warning that Ukrainian churches will also lose their religious freedom if the Russians take control of their country.

• Oppression of Christians Escalates

  Pray for the safety of church members in Ukraine. Photo: Flickr / Peter Collins

  Since the political uprising began in Ukraine, pro-Russian separatists have taken control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of the country. The takeover has resulted in an escalating frequency of attacks being made against Christians residing within these areas, including the recent seizure of an evangelical church in Donetsk.

• Young Mission Workers Murdered

  A broadcast tower in Slavyansk was completely destroyed. Photo: FEBC

  Four young Christian workers were recently captured by pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine and brutally beaten to death. According to a ministry affiliate, they were killed simply for being Christians. "These young men were faithful Christians who cared about evangelizing their countrymen by using personal witnessing, as well as media," he reported. "We are deeply saddened and shocked."

• Church bombed

  Photos from Pastor Zschech's blog

  In the early morning of October 14, a crude homemade bomb was thrown into the Calvary Chapel church building in Kaharlyk, Ukraine. The building is also the residence of Pastor Wayne Zschech and his family. At approximately 7:00 a.m., Pastor Zschech's wife awoke to the smell of smoke. Fire officials were called to the scene where they put out the blaze, which caused minor damage to the building. The six people asleep in the church at the time of the attack escaped without injury. The assailants spray painted "Out with Sects" and "OYH," an abbreviated name for a Ukrainian Nationalist movement, on the church wall.