Ukraine: Religious leaders call on the world to step up sanctions against Russia

Ukrainian religious leaders have urged the governments of democratic nations to intensify sanctions against Russia. This call to action comes from the members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) in response to yet another round of heavy shelling of Ukraine by the aggressor. The Statement was published on June 2 on the official website of the UCCRO.

"Only determined and consistent military and other forms of support for Ukraine can stop the inhumane Russian regime and prevent the spread of its aggressive war to other parts of Europe and the world. A clear and principled voice in support of Ukraine and in condemnation of evil from governments, Churches, non-governmental organizations, intellectuals, and ordinary people remains critically important in the fifth year of the Russian Federation’s full-scale war against our state," stated Ukraine's religious leaders, representing various denominations.

They urged democratic governments to increase sanctions against the Russian Federation, including Russian politicians, businesspeople, journalists, and religious figures who are complicit in the ongoing crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

Full text of the Statement

Statement by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations Regarding New Acts of Russian State Terrorism Against Ukraine

During the night of June 2, 2026, the Russian terrorist state launched yet another wave of massive terrorist attacks against the cities of Kyiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and other localities across Ukraine. As a result of these Russian missile and drone attacks, at least 23 civilians were killed and more than one hundred others were injured, including women and children. Numerous residential buildings were destroyed or damaged, as well as hospitals, kindergartens, churches, and other places of worship, schools, commercial facilities, warehouses, and other civilian infrastructure.

The Russian Federation, which has unlawfully usurped the seat of a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, continues its cynical terrorist attacks against Ukrainian cities, taking advantage of the lack of political will within this institution and the insufficient determination of some democratic countries and international organizations. Russia is openly committing genocide against the Ukrainian people. These bloody crimes are perpetrated on Ukrainian soil with the active support of the Moscow Patriarchate, which is evidently an integral part of the criminal Kremlin regime, as well as of much of Russian society, including the so-called “business elites,” journalists, and others who support military aggression and terror and thereby become accomplices to crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

Only determined and consistent military and other forms of support for Ukraine can stop the inhumane Russian regime and prevent the spread of its aggressive war to other parts of Europe and the world. A clear and principled voice in support of Ukraine and in condemnation of evil from governments, Churches, non-governmental organizations, intellectuals, and ordinary people remains critically important in the fifth year of the Russian Federation’s full-scale war against our state.

It is noteworthy that the latest massive missile and drone attacks against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities took place during the celebration of the Great Feast of the Holy Trinity (Pentecost), observed according to both the Western and Eastern Christian calendars.

Among the religious sites damaged or destroyed as a result of Russian terrorist attacks during May–June 2026 are:

• the mosque of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Ukraine in Dnipro (May 17, 2026);
• the Church of the Nativity of Christ of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the Podil district of Kyiv (May 24, 2026);
• the premises of the St. Thomas Aquinas Institute of the Roman Catholic Church in Kyiv (May 24, 2026);
• the “Light of the Gospel” local church of the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christian Baptists in Balakliia, Kharkiv Region (May 24, 2026);
• the church complex dedicated to St. Sergius of Radonezh of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate) in Kyiv (June 2, 2026);

• the worship hall and church facilities of the local church “New Life” and the Cathedral of Independent Evangelical Churches of Ukraine in Kyiv.

Overall, since the beginning of the war, approximately 800 religious sites have been partially or completely destroyed by Russian attacks.

We, Ukrainian religious leaders representing different faith traditions and denominations, call upon the governments of democratic nations to increase sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation, as well as on Russian politicians, businesspeople, journalists, and religious leaders who are complicit in the ongoing crimes against humanity being committed in Ukraine.

Once again, we express our sincere gratitude to Ukraine’s Air Defense Forces and to all Ukrainian defenders. May God grant them strength in their struggle against evil. We shall fight, and we shall prevail!

We once again thank Ukraine’s rescuers, medical personnel, and essential service workers for their selfless service.

We pray for all those who have suffered as a result of Russian terror. May God strengthen and comfort them.

We thank our international partners and every compassionate individual who has not grown weary of standing on the side of good, showing solidarity with the Ukrainian people, and supporting Ukraine.

O Great and Only God, protect our Ukraine!

Kyiv, June 2, 2026
(Quelle: www.risu.ua, 2. Juni 2026)