Equating political dissent with heresy has emerged as a fundamental strategy employed by the Russian state, enabling it to effectively stifle opposition voices and enforce a stringent ideological conformity that aligns closely with both the doctrines of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the expansive narrative of the “Russkiy Mir.” This campaign to undermine religious diversity and dissent is not confined within the geographical borders of Russia; rather, it has transcended these limits and infiltrated the conflict landscape, particularly in its militaristic endeavors against Ukraine, where attacks on non-Orthodox religions are alarmingly prevalent.
At its core, the concept of the Russkiy Mir, or Russian World, positions Russia not merely as a geographical entity but as a distinct civilization, asserting its cultural and historical superiority particularly over Ukraine and Belarus. Within this framework, the Kremlin has adeptly weaponized this ideology, leveraging the authority and resources afforded by the ROC to implement a set of policies aimed at suppressing diversity while stifling freedoms related to thought, expression, and belief. The work conducted by the Institute for Democracy and Development “PolitA” has labeled this systematic suppression as an extension of state policy that intertwines political allegiance with the Church’s Kremlin-favored narrative.
The doctrine of Russkiy Mir was further entrenched in ROC teachings under the leadership of Patriarch Kirill, marked by the recent release of a new textbook entitled “To Holy Russia: Patriotism and Faith.” This publication serves to deepens the rift not only between Russian and Ukrainian believers but also widens the divide between Russia and Europe, as well as the broader fraternity of Orthodox Churches. In April 2024, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recognized the ROC explicitly as “an instrument of Kremlin propaganda.” Later in August, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople denounced the ROC’s shift towards militaristic ethno-nationalism as heresy.
According to a 2023 report from the U.S. Department of State, Russian authorities have systematically investigated, detained, imprisoned, tortured, and abused individuals based upon their religious beliefs or affiliations, particularly targeting groups labeled as “extremist,” “terrorist,” or “undesirable.” Among those disproportionately affected are Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatars, Hizb ut-Tahrir, Tablighi Jamaat, followers of Turkish theologian Said Nursi, the Church of Scientology, Falun Gong practitioners, and various evangelical Protestant groups, as well as numerous civil society organizations. The regime deliberately uses terms like “cults” and “sects” to stigmatize organizations that might wield significant societal influence but remain unyielding in their loyalty to the state.
The focal point of especially ruthless suppression orchestrated by the ROC and the Russian state remains other Christian denominations, with Protestantism being a primary target due to its emphasis on the individual’s unmediated relationship with God. The ROC classifies Protestant churches that diverge from the entrenched, state-driven dictates as cults that fundamentally distort the core tenets of Christianity. Utilizing the pretense of safeguarding society against these so-called cults, anti-cult organizations and their proponents actively disseminate defamatory narratives through media platforms and organize campaigns to undermine those they target.
Central to these efforts is the Russian Association of Centers for the Study of Religions and Sects (RACIRS). This umbrella organization aggregates regional centers focused on addressing “destructive sectarianism in the post-Soviet space.” The facilities under RACIRS’ aegis conduct systematic monitoring and evaluation of activities related to new religious movements and sects throughout Russia. Moreover, RACIRS provides a conduit for religious experts to disseminate studies and analyses widely to bolster its agenda of discrediting alternative religious practices.
In one notable RACIRS report concerning the prohibition of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, the authors assert that the religious movement “exhibits a hostile attitude toward our country, our people, and our traditions,” deeming its presence particularly perilous due to alleged methods of suppressing individual autonomy coupled with overt psychological manipulation reminiscent of strategies employed by actual terrorist organizations. The authors additionally underscored claims regarding the supposed gathering of intelligence on Russian citizens for transmission to the United States.
Russia’s oppressive actions against religious freedom have tactically expanded beyond its national borders as an integral element of its neo-imperialist objectives. Reports from the Kyiv-based National Institute for Strategic Studies indicate that since the initial invasion of Ukraine in 2014, areas held under temporary occupation have devolved into environments lacking religious freedom. In these regions, collaborating authorities and separatist entities have established a state-religion relational model mirroring that of the Russian Federation, wherein the parameters of religious freedom hinge on the readiness of faith communities to ally with or express public loyalty to the Putin regime.
Mirroring the external repression observed in Russia, the occupation forces in Ukraine have initiated a sustained offensive against dissenting religious organizations under the guise of combating “cults” and “extremists.” This campaign employs an array of inhumane and illicit tactics, including the violent takeover of places of worship alongside intimidation, abduction, and outright torture of believers. Key targets of these orchestrated efforts encompass the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, segments of the Crimean Tatar Muslim community, and various Protestant denominations, all of which have been branded as “undesirable” by the authorities.
With the escalation of large-scale hostilities commencing in February 2022, acts of terror against clergy, religious centers, and believers have reached unprecedented levels, as deliberate shelling and destruction of churches, prayer houses, synagogues, mosques, and other sacred structures have sadly become routine. The “Religion in Flames” project has documented the systematic targeting of over 500 religious buildings, with data indicating that 9 percent have been entirely destroyed and 16 percent have sustained irreparable damage.
Reports of abductions and executions involving clergy across various faiths have escalated alarmingly. The project’s database accounts for at least twenty-five clergy members killed, in addition to numerous civilians who sought refuge in religious sites. In one tragic incident, seventeen civilians lost their lives on June 19 during the shelling of the Bismillah Islamic Cultural Center in Severodonetsk. Amid these harrowing circumstances, Patriarch Kirill persists in publicly supporting Russian soldiers as they engage in battle against Ukraine, framing the invasion as a “holy war.”
The ROC has also played a pivotal role in crafting Western perceptions of the ongoing conflict by disseminating disinformation that aims to manipulate the European political climate, leveraging an international network of anti-cult organizations connected through RACIRS.
While some factions within the West show sympathy towards the ROC’s narratives, concerted efforts led by Ukraine have successfully catalogued and exposed the politicization, corruption, and ideological incongruities associated with the Russian church, serving as a countermeasure against ROC-propagated disinformation. This initiative included a notable collaboration in April 2024 between leaders from the Southern Baptist Church’s Theological Seminary and the Ukrainian Baptist Church, who played crucial roles in advocating for U.S. assistance to Ukraine. The coalition of faith leaders urged U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is affiliated with their denomination, to lend support to Ukraine in its confrontation against Russian aggression.
Hannah Daniel, the director of public policy for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, highlighted that Southern Baptists have historically opposed authoritarian regimes that infringe upon religious freedom. “The resolve of our lawmakers to stand with Ukraine has wavered in light of the brutal persecution of Christians, particularly Baptists, alongside the abduction of children and destruction of houses of worship due to Russia’s unjust and unprovoked invasion,” she said.
This appeal to faith ultimately proved influential in the ultimate passage of the aid package. Its trajectory suggests the growing importance of religious leaders alongside journalists and policymakers in dismantling the façade of Russian disinformation and mitigating cultural warfare. Such a comprehensive approach could be effectively replicated in countries susceptible to Russian propaganda and espionage disguised as religious endeavors, including Moldova.
Anksgiving Conference and representatives from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This collaboration aimed to raise awareness regarding the religious liberties being suppressed under Russian occupation and to shed light on the fragmentation of the Orthodox Church due to the ROC’s alignment with the Kremlin.
The ongoing ideological and physical assault on religious freedom in both Russia and the occupied regions of Ukraine underscores a broader strategy of control and manipulation implemented by the Russian state and the ROC. By framing religious dissent as a national security threat, the Kremlin justifies its draconian measures against minority faiths, all while bolstering support for state-sanctioned religious institutions that align with its geopolitical goals.
Looking forward, the resilience and solidarity shown by various faith communities, in conjunction with international advocacy groups, are vital in countering the narratives pushed forth by the ROC and the Kremlin. Increased awareness and pressure from the international community, along with efforts to document violations of religious freedom, will play crucial roles in opposing the widespread persecution and promoting a more inclusive approach to faith that respects the diverse beliefs of all individuals.
The challenge remains significant, as the intersection of faith and politics in Russia and its occupied territories continues to evolve, necessitating ongoing scrutiny and vigilance to protect the sanctity of religious expression in these troubled regions. The revival of interest in interfaith dialogue and cooperation among various religious groups may provide a pathway toward healing and understanding, countering the divisions that have been exacerbated by state-sponsored narratives of division and fear.
