Remarks by the delegation of Ukraine

during the Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

(24 October 2025)

Chair,

Ukraine thanks the Special Rapporteur for her briefing and reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief for all. At the same time, Russia’s weaponization of religion in its war of aggression against Ukraine poses a grave threat to our sovereignty and identity.

Russia exploits faith to justify its atrocities, spread propaganda, and tighten control over the temporarily occupied territories. Religious communities refusing to submit to the Moscow Patriarchate face persecution. In Crimea, Muslim Crimean Tatars are targeted for their faith, and Protestant churches are seized and repurposed.

Ukrainian religious leaders have become deliberate targets of Russian forces. More than seventy priests, pastors, and ministers of various denominations have been killed, and over six hundred forty religious buildings have been destroyed or damaged. Meanwhile, priests of the Russian Orthodox Church recruit soldiers, indoctrinate children, and bless militants and weapons of war.

Ukraine is not fighting religion. We are protecting our citizens from those who exploit it to justify aggression and undermine our statehood. The Russian Orthodox Church has become an ideological arm of the aggressor state and an accomplice to its war crimes.

On 20 August 2024, Ukraine adopted the Law “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activities of Religious Organizations.” This law safeguards national security and prevents the operation of organizations governed from aggressor states.

As a deeply Christian country, Ukraine remains devoted to ensuring that faith unites our people and serves peace, not war.

Thank you.