Russia uses religion as weapons to discredit Ukraine - isw

About it reports the American Institute of War Study (ISW) in the report for April 9. The analysts of the institute note that after a full -scale invasion of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation or occupying power have committed at least 76 acts of religious persecution in Ukraine, and the Russian authorities forcibly transferred under the control of the ROC MP at least 26 places of worship.

At least 29 clergymen were killed and captured, and at least 13 cult buildings in the occupied territory of Ukraine were robbed and deliberately destroyed.

"These cases of religious repression are not single incidents, but rather part of a deliberate campaign for systematic eradication of" unwanted "religious organizations in Ukraine and promotion Indirect guidance could inadvertently kill religious leaders or destroy the places of departure of the cult, as well as all 494 religious structures that were completely destroyed, damaged or robbed.

The report also does not refer to cases of Russian religious repression in areas that Russian troops occupied from spring 2014 to February 24, 2022. In 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified in the Russian Federation "Yarova's Law", according to which all religious organizations and churches in Russia must be registered in the Russian government. The law in particular prohibits "missionary activity".

Since 2016, the Russian authorities have used the broad provisions of Yarova's law to chase American Baptists and Missionaries of the Pentecost. The Russian authorities also persecuted Russian Muslims for "illegal missionary activity", despite the fact that Islam was legally recognized as one of the "traditional religions" of Russia.

Now, according to the Institute's report, Russia exports its state policy of systematic religious persecution to the occupied territory of Ukraine, in particular, systematically eliminates the PCU churches, removes the property of the PCU for the transfer of the Moscow Patriarchate and eliminates worship in the Ukrainian language. "Putin consistently represents Russia as a defender of traditional" Christian values ​​", which also supports Orthodox, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism.

The Kremlin uses this information operation to accuse Ukraine of religious intolerance to the Moscow Patriarchate and get a commitment to religious communities around the world. contradicts Russian religious repression on the ground, " - the message reads.

It should be reminded that in the report on April 8, analysts of the Institute of War Study reported that Russia's offensive potential in Ukraine continues to decline along the entire front line, and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation cannot move. According to the NSDC, many priests of the UOC MP cooperated with three FSB departments. The polls show the full consent of Ukrainians with the idea of ​​banning this structure - "for" almost 80%.