Kyiv, Ukraine – As the conflict with Russia enters its fourth year, with casualties projected to exceed two million in 2026 – two-thirds of them Russian – Ukraine is expanding its efforts to disentangle itself from Moscow’s influence, extending beyond the battlefield to the realm of religious institutions.
The Ukrainian government is taking steps that could lead to a ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), a branch of Orthodoxy with centuries-old ties to Russia. While the government insists This proves not targeting ordinary worshippers, the move underscores the increasingly fraught relationship between faith and national identity in a country at war.
“The activity of (the) Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate is not prohibited in Ukraine,” explained Viktor Yelenskyy, the government official overseeing religious affairs. “The Ukrainian government asked (the) Ukrainian Orthodox Church to withdraw itself from (the) Russian Orthodox Church. That’s it.”
The move follows a 2024 law banning the Russian Orthodox Church within Ukraine, a direct response to its vocal support for the Russian invasion. That legislation also authorized the government to ban any organizations linked to the Moscow-based church. A subsequent investigation was launched into the UOC-MP, examining its historical connections to Russia.
The UOC-MP declared its independence from the Russian Orthodox Church in 2022, reiterating that stance in 2025, but Kyiv maintains that it has not taken sufficient steps to fully sever those ties. Specifically, the government says the church has failed to revise its governing documents to reflect its claimed independence.
The potential ban has sparked debate, with critics raising concerns about religious freedom. However, Yelenskyy asserts that worship continues without restriction. “This law on (the) protection of constitutional order in the sphere of activity of religious organization, (is) addressed not to ordinary people, but for structures of Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine,” he stated.
The issue extends to the highest levels of Ukrainian leadership. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C., framed the war itself as a struggle not only for territory but also for freedom of faith. “This is an alliance in defense, but also in faith. In the belief that life must win, that light must prevail,” he said.
Ukrainian officials emphasize the central role of faith in the nation’s resilience. A recent poll indicated that spiritual support is the most sought-after contribution from religious communities by Ukrainians. Yelenskyy acknowledges the church’s provision of such support, alongside other forms of assistance.
The situation is complicated by the historical context of Orthodoxy in Ukraine. Orthodoxy is the majority religion in both Russia and Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has historically been linked to the Russian Orthodox Church. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine gained independence, but the Orthodox Church remained divided, with some branches aligning with Moscow and others seeking autonomy.
The 2024 law banning the Russian Orthodox Church and initiating the investigation into the UOC-MP represents a significant escalation in this long-running dispute. The law came a year after the Ukrainian Parliament initially passed legislation targeting the Moscow-based church due to its support for the invasion.
The UOC-MP faces a delicate balancing act. While it has publicly denounced the full-scale invasion and declared its independence, it must navigate the legal requirements set by the Ukrainian government to avoid being banned. The government has petitioned a court to ban the activities of the UOC-MP itself, a process that could take months, with the church retaining the right to appeal.
The potential ban also carries geopolitical implications. Experts suggest Russia has attempted to leverage the church in past peace negotiations, seeking to preserve its influence in Ukraine by protecting the Russian-affiliated church. Some observers have noted that the issue could affect Ukraine’s relations with international actors, including the United States, where some have framed Kyiv’s actions as an attack on Christianity.
The State Service of Ukraine on Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, the government entity responsible for the investigation, published its findings on the UOC-MP’s links to Moscow on . The legal proceedings are now underway, and the future of the UOC-MP remains uncertain.
As Ukraine continues to fight for its sovereignty, the battle over religious affiliation highlights the complex interplay between national identity, political maneuvering, and deeply held beliefs in a nation grappling with the consequences of war.
