Over 700 religious buildings have been destroyed or damaged in Ukraine since the start of the war — Viktor Yelensky
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is accompanied by the systematic destruction of spiritual heritage and religious freedom.
This was stated by Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), according to UNIAN.
The Russian Orthodox Church as part of the Russian military machine
According to Yelensky, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is not only a religious institution but is directly involved in the war against Ukraine.
“The Russian Orthodox Church has now become an absolute appendage of the Russian military machine,” he stressed.
Yelensky noted that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has been aiming to completely destroy religious freedom in Ukraine, as evidenced by the persecution of believers and the destruction of religious sites.
In the occupied territories, entire denominations are completely banned
The head of the DESS noted that in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the Russian occupation authorities have completely banned the activities of entire religious denominations, in particular Protestant communities and some Orthodox communities that do not submit to Moscow.
Over 700 religious buildings destroyed or damaged
According to Yelensky, as of early November 2025, over 700 religious buildings—churches, prayer houses, mosques, and synagogues—have been completely destroyed or damaged as a result of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
“Entire religious denominations are completely banned in the occupied territories. In total, more than 700 religious buildings have been destroyed or damaged by Russian troops,” he said.
The problem of the UOC’s subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate
Yelensky also drew attention to the fact that the ROC continues to exert influence over the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which is in communion with the Moscow Patriarchate.
“The ROC has a certain degree of control over the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is in communion with the Moscow Patriarchate. This situation is abnormal,” said the head of the DESS
