Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Russian occupation forces have killed at least 70 clergymen in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine since 2014. He announced this during a meeting with Jan Wessels, Secretary General of the European Evangelical Alliance, which took place in Kyiv.
Source: Government portal
The head of government stressed that the Russian Federation systematically persecutes religious communities, especially Protestant communities. There are kidnappings, torture, and even murders of church ministers, and the activities of independent religious organizations are prohibited.
“Ukraine is fighting for freedom — both national and spiritual. We are grateful for the solidarity, support, and constant prayers of our international partners,” Shmyhal emphasized.
The parties also discussed humanitarian initiatives, including a program to clear mines from liberated territories, which should make these lands safe for citizens, churches, and social services.
It should be noted that the European Evangelical Alliance unites more than 23 million evangelical Christians in 35 European countries. During his visit, Jan Wessels expressed his support for the Ukrainian people and emphasized the importance of the churches’ prayerful, humanitarian, and advocacy participation in the struggle for freedom and dignity.
