Official statements from international human rights organizations and reports

Russia Cracks Down on Evangelical Churches in Occupied Ukraine Since 2022

Jun 16, 2024, 01:50 PM

Russia has intensified its crackdown on Ukrainian churches in occupied territories, particularly targeting Evangelical Christian congregations. At least 30 Ukrainian clergymen have been killed since the invasion began, with Evangelicals disproportionately affected. Russian troops have shuttered Evangelical Christian churches in areas occupied since 2022. The crackdown is part of a broader effort to suppress any entities not under government control, as highlighted by the quote, 'You don’t run a church, you run a nest of American spies.' Meanwhile, Ukraine has also targeted Russian Orthodox congregations, leading to persecution of Christian groups on both sides if they are accused of collaborating with the enemy.