Tags

Ukraine

• 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."