Russia targets Ukraine's believers

New report highlights hundreds of attacks on churches, synagogues, mosques, and faith leaders

An investigation into Russian attacks on religious sites in Ukraine found that more than 270 houses of worship and religious institutions have been damaged or destroyed since the February invasion. Russian soldiers continue to seize church property in occupied areas, turning churches and seminaries into military bases. They have detained and abused clergy, in some cases torturing them.

from “Russian Attacks on Religious Freedom in Ukraine” by the Institute for Religious Freedom, Ukraine

The report published by Ukraine’s Institute for Religious Freedom provides the first compiled documentation of the toll of Russian attacks on religious institutions. It comes as gains by Republicans in the U.S. House could curtail future U.S. support for the war effort. Congress also has before it the Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act, which passed the House in April, to combat violations taking place since Russia’s 2014 capture of Crimea.

A delegation of church leaders from Ukraine delivered the rep…