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The dire situation in Ukraine has led to a significant number of conflicts and attacks impacting churches. Reports indicate that in Kramatorsk, the dome of a church was set ablaze following a strike by Russian forces, spreading fire over a vast area. In Yunakivka, the historical 19th-century Church of the Nativity, built in 1806, was destroyed by Russian occupiers, showcasing the extent of cultural loss. Moreover, the religious landscape in Ukraine is further complicated with over 7,800 churches affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate still operating in the country. Additionally, various reports cite attacks on Ukrainian churches in international regions, with calls for thorough investigations.
What happened to the church in Kramatorsk?
Russian forces struck a church in Kramatorsk in August 2026. The attack caused the church’s dome to catch fire, which then spread over 140 square meters. Emergency services responded to manage the situation and prevent further damage.
Are there still churches of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine?
Yes, there are more than 7,800 churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate operating in Ukraine, predominantly located in regions such as Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, and Zakarpattia.
What is the significance of the church destroyed in Yunakivka?
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Yunakivka was built in 1806, representing significant cultural and historical heritage. Its destruction by Russian forces highlights the loss of Ukrainian cultural assets due to the ongoing conflict.
Why are churches targeted in the conflict in Ukraine?
Churches are targeted in part due to their symbolic significance and the role they play in community and cultural identity. Attacks on religious sites can be part of broader strategies to demoralize communities and undermine national heritage.
Has the Ukrainian government recognized any affiliation of its churches with the Russian Orthodox Church?
Yes, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience has recognized the Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. This recognition has significant implications for religious and political contexts in Ukraine.
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Holy Intercession Church built in 1906 damaged during enemy attack on Kyiv. PHOTOS The Holy Intercession Church in Kyiv sustained damage during the Russian attack on September 24. 1 882 4 Previously in trend: Missile attack on Kyiv
Russians have destroyed church in Kramatorsk: one person has been killed and others injured as result of strikes on city. VIDEO+PHOTOS In Kramatorsk, in the Donetsk region, the Church of St John the Baptist suffered significant damage as a result of a Russian strike. During the attacks on the city on 22 September, one person was killed and two others were injured. 3 512 11 Previously in trend: Shelling of Kramatorsk
Russians strike church in Kramatorsk: Dome catches fire, blaze spreads over 140 square metres – SES. PHOTO Russian forces struck Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region on 11 August, hitting a church building. The attack caused the church’s dome to catch fire. 1 709 8 Previously in trend: Church arson
Ruscists destroy 19th-century church in Yunakivka, Sumy Oblast In Yunakivka, Sumy Oblast, Russian occupiers destroyed the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1806. 2 320 13 Previously in trend: Shelling of Sumy region
Almost 8 thousand churches of UOC-MP continue to operate in Ukraine - OpenDataBot. INFOGRAPHICS There are still more than 7,800 churches of the Moscow Patriarchate operating in Ukraine. Most of them are located in the Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, and Zakarpattia regions. 3 311 51 Previously in trend: UOC ties to ROC
Unknown persons cut down cross from Ukrainian church in Poland: embassy demands investigation. PHOTO In the Polish city of Legnica, unknown persons damaged the roof and cut off the cross from the main dome of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 5 090 57 Previously in trend: Ukrainian church damaged in Poland
UOC-MP recognized as affiliated with ROC – DESS The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has recognized the Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. 8 428 56 Previously in trend: UOC ties to ROC
Archbishop of Alaska apologizes for meeting with Putin: I deeply regret scandal provoked Archbishop Alexy of Sitka and Alaska (Orthodox Church in America), who met with dictator Vladimir Putin during his visit to Anchorage, apologized for this. 9 661 27 Previously in trend: Meeting between Trump and Putin
Russian shelling damages church of UOC in Shostka. PHOTOS On the night of 28 April, Russians launched an air strike on the city of Shostka, Sumy region. 2 215 12 Previously in trend: UAVs attack on the Sumy region
UOC-MP cleric exposed for "privatizing" church and property worth over UAH 7 million in Kyiv region – SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service and the National Police exposed a cleric of the UOC-MP on the illegal alienation of a church in the Kyiv region. 5 463 26 Previously in trend: Detention of UOC-MP clerics
Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia: St. Andrew’s Cathedral of UOC-MP damaged. PHOTOS On Saturday, 18 January, Russian invaders launched rocket attacks on Zaporizhzhia. The attack severely damaged St Andrew's Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). 5 451 29
"Solidarity Bell" with Ukraine rang at Washington National Cathedral. PHOTOS A festive service was held at the Washington National Cathedral to mark the beginning of the year. Blessings were read for Ukraine and a symbolic bell made from spent ammunition was rung. 1 398 1 Previously in trend: War
OCU about fight in cathedral in Cherkasy: Deliberate provocation of those who wanted to ’create picture’ for Russian propaganda The OCU believes that the conflict on the territory of St. Michael's Cathedral in Cherkasy between groups of citizens is a deliberate provocation by certain individuals to "create a picture" for Russian propaganda. 3 644 39
Russians attack church in Donetsk region and attack rescuers who came to extinguish fire - SES. PHOTOS In Novoekonomichne in Donetsk region, the enemy destroyed a religious building - a local church. 1 565 5 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
More than 500 churches have been destroyed by Russian Federation since beginning of full-scale invasion - Zelenskyy. VIDEO Russian troops have already destroyed more than 500 churches, houses of prayer, and other religious buildings since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation. 1 609 6 Previously in trend: War
Czech Parliament calls on intelligence agencies to check for Russian influence in country’s Orthodox churches Pavel Fischer, chairman of the Czech Senate's security committee, believes that the government should instruct the security services to investigate the threat posed by the country's Orthodox churches. He said that they could be used for Russian influence operations. 2 591 16
Ministry of Defense has revealed illegal registration of church on territory of military unit in Kyiv. Owner is affiliated with UOC-MP On the territory of one of the military units in Kyiv, a church whose owner is affiliated with the UOC-MP was registered. 5 001 11
Draft law to guarantee that there will be no manipulation of Ukrainian church from Moscow is proposed to Rada - Zelenskyy. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to Ukrainians at the end of the 905th day of the war with Russia. 7 965 61 Previously in trend: War
Church for military is opened in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. PHOTOS A church for military personnel was opened in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. 3 719 10
Occupants strike church in Kherson region with drones. PHOTOS On the afternoon of 1 July, Russians carried out three drone strikes on the Orthodox Holy Archangel Michael Church in Zmiivka, Beryslav district, Kherson region. 1 728 3 Previously in trend: War
500 churches damaged or destroyed since beginning of full-scale war, - Yelenskyi The head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelenskyi, says that 500 religious buildings have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the full-scale war. 654 10
Russian Orthodox Church released "Patriarchal Calendar" with UOC-MP bishops. PHOTO The Russian Orthodox Church released the Patriarchal Calendar, which includes all the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church ("Moscow Patriarchate"). 10 797 45
Five more cultural heritage sites of Ukraine receive enhanced protection from UNESCO Another 5 Ukrainian sites, located in Odesa, Chernihiv, Lviv and Zakarpattia regions, have been added to the UNESCO International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection. 2 399 4
In Zolota Balka, religious building, shop and cars were damaged as result of dropping of explosives from drone. PHOTOS Today, November 9, the occupiers dropped explosives from a drone on Zolota Balka in the Kherson region. 1 980 0
In center of Moscow, icon of Mother of God, which was illegally taken out of Donbas, was stolen. VIDEO An icon of the Mother of God of Bogolyubov was stolen in Moscow. Before moving to Russia, the icon was in a church in Khartsyzsk, Donetsk region. The icon was stolen from the church, which is located 350 metres from the FSB in Lubyanka. 12 089 49
21 shots from a tank: mercenaries of "Wagner" PMC destroyed Holy Annunciation Church of UOC (MP) in Bakhmut. VIDEO Mercenaries of the "Wagner" PMC in Bakhmut destroyed the Church of the Holy Annunciation, in which the priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) conducted services. 25 178 52 Previously in trend: War
Today, a step has been taken to protect our society from cynical Moscow’s manipulation of religion, - Zelensky. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the citizens of Ukraine at the end of the 399th day of the war with Russia. 8 280 67 Previously in trend: War
SSU arrests pro-Moscow "church blogger" in Transcarpathia. PHOTOS Ukraine’s Security Service has served a notice of suspicion to a so-called "church blogger" of UOC-MP who incited inter-confessional hatred and called Orthodox Church of Ukraine a sectarian illegal organization. 10 555 44
Russian Federation conducts searches and detains representatives of various religious denominations in occupied territories, - Center of National Resistance Russian invaders continue to detain representatives of various religious denominations in occupied Ukrainian territories. 1 914 1
Polish Orthodox Church sent greetings to Kirill. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland called it "fatal" The head of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church (PAOC), Metropolitan Sava of Warsaw and All Poland, sent a congratulatory letter to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill Gundyaev on the occasion of the enthronement anniversary. The Polish MFA criticized the metropolitan’s actions. 16 252 42
Epiphanius in Lavra: we did not want this war, but enemy treacherously broke peace and invaded our land Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Metropolitan Epiphany, at the divine service in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, expressed confidence in Ukraine’s victory in the war with the Russian Federation. 6 240 52
Searches in dioceses of UOC MP in 4 regions: propaganda leaflets of Medvedchuk association, Russian "tricolors", and former occupiers’ warehouses were discovered, - SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service completed counterintelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in the Kherson, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Rivne regions. 15 182 42
On January 7, provocations with explosions of churches are possible in occupied Donetsk, - InformNapalm The purpose of Putin’s "truce" may be a bloody terrorist attack with bombing of churches on Christmas. 3 176 22
Ukrainian prayer - Epiphany will be heard in Pechersk Lavra On December 2, a "significant step was taken for the return of Ukrainian prayer" to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, according to the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epiphany of Kyiv and All Ukraine. 9 390 51
SSU conducts security measures at UOC (MP) facilities in 3 regions of Ukraine. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine are conducting counterintelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in Zhytomyr, Rivne and Transcarpathian regions. 8 194 40 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
We will ensure spiritual independence of our state, - Zelensky. VIDEO In his traditional address to Ukrainians on December 1, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that "spiritual independence" would be ensured in the state. 7 716 68
Russia has no place in UNESCO, - Zelensky reacted to shelling of Svyatohirska Lavra. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelensky is convinced that every church burned by Russia in Ukraine, every school blown up and every memorial destroyed prove that Russia has no place in UNESCO. 6 122 20
"Independence" of UOC MP was initiated by State Department of USA, but unity remains, - ROC The ROC commented on the "proclamation of independence" of the UOC-MP. 15 736 69
Russians destroyed or damaged about hundred religious buildings in Ukraine - Tkachenko Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russian troops have destroyed or damaged about a hundred religious buildings in Ukraine with shelling. 1 238 8 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
At least seven Orthodox churches were destroyed by occupiers in Luhansk region - Haidai In the Luhansk region, the Russians destroyed at least seven Orthodox churches. 1 813 5 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Reznichenko - to residents of Dnipropetrovsk region: choose home Easter. Occupiers are capable of provocation, they have nothing sacred Local authorities in Dnipropetrovsk region are wary of provocations during Easter services, so they urge residents of the region to join the holiday service on TV this year. 2 971 10 Previously in trend: War
Russia promises provocations with numerous victims on Easter night in churches of south and east of Ukraine Russian troops promise provocations in churches during the celebration of Easter by Ukrainians. However, traditionally, the Russian side accuses Ukraine of preparing such provocations. 14 829 38 Previously in trend: War
Occupiers shot people right in church in Chernihiv region. VIDEO The State Emergency Service has released footage of the Russian occupiers shooting people in the church. 18 052 20 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
More than half of Ukrainians support ban of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate In Ukraine, there is growing support for the severance of ties between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the Russian Orthodox Church. At the same time, more than half of respondents (51%) believe that the state should completely ban its activities in Ukraine. 9 378 94 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Another 32 Ministers Checked For Coronavirus In Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra - Klitschko Another 32 ministers are being checked for coronavirus in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. 2 880 17 Previously in trend: Anti-epidemic measures and restrictions
320 Moscow Patriarchate parishes joined OCU after Tomos, - Poroshenko Since the Tomos of Autocephaly was granted to Ukraine, 320 parishes have joined Ukraine's independent Orthodox Church. 7 136 111 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
Verkhovna Rada defines conversion mechanism for religious communities Verkhovna Rada has adopted the draft law No. 4128-d defining the conversion mechanism for religious communities. 17 662 118 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
Kyiv-based St Andrew’s Church to host first Hierarchical Liturgy of Patriarchal Stauropegia today The first Hierarchical Liturgy of Patriarchal Stauropegia will be held at St Andrew’s Church in Kyiv on Dec. 13. 9 406 125 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
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