Up to 2,000 UOC churches seized in Ukraine since 2022 — Russian Foreign Ministry

Ukraine crisisUp to 2,000 UOC churches seized in Ukraine since 2022 — Russian Foreign Ministry Mikhail Melekh, Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Minister for International Cooperation in Ensuring Freedom of Religion, said these seizures are often accompanied by violence and mass beatings of believers and clergyGENEVA, September 8. /TASS/. Up to 2,000 churches of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) have been seized in Ukraine since 2022, while as many as 3,000 more could be confiscated in the future, Mikhail Melekh, Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Minister for International Cooperation in Ensuring Freedom of Religion, said at a side event on the sidelines of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). "According to various estimates, between 1,500 and 2,000 UOC churches have been seized between 2022 and 2026. These seizures are often accompanied by violence and mass beatings of believers and clergy," he said. Melekh added that a decision by Vladimir Zelensky’s office to designate the Kiev Metropolitanate as being "affiliated" with the Russian Orthodox Church could prompt regional authorities to terminate agreements with UOC dioceses governing their use of historic state-owned churches and monasteries. "This could result in the forced confiscation of up to 3,000 historic churches and monasteries across Ukraine," he said. He stressed that "controlled chaos" had been created within Ukrainian Orthodoxy, facilitating the violent seizure of churches and monasteries and the illegal re-registration of religious communities under the guise of "voluntary transitions." "The authorities are trying to conceal these facts and act primarily through indirect means. Members of radical nationalist groups, who are effectively guaranteed immunity from prosecution for violating the law, are being involved in the reprisals," he said. TagsUkraine crisisForeign policyMilitary operation in UkrainePutin gave Trump objective analysis of special military operation — Kremlin aideYury Ushakov added that Vladimir Putin presented Russia's view of the prospects for progress on the battlefieldRead moreRussian diplomat notes EU’s cynical attempts to present itself as 'force for good'Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova drew attention to the steadily growing level of intolerance in the EU, the increasing incidence of racism, and the spread of hate speechRead moreUS itself undermining confidence in dollar — PeskovThe Kremlin spokesman stressed that all countries do what is more beneficial for themRead moreRussia ready to continue arms supplies to India — KremlinDmitry Peskov noted that Moscow is satisfied with its cooperation with New Delhi in the military and military-technical spheresRead moreSaudi Aramco oil facility in Jizan hit in strike — Financial TimesAccording to the sources, the damage is currently being assessedRead moreIt’s impossible to monitor moratorium on strikes against ships in the Black Sea — Lavrov"Officials begin to say that they will not survive the winter, that something needs to be done," the russian foreign minister said Read moreLavrov comments on West’s attempts to spoil elections and robbery of Russian assetsThe foreign minister stressed that Russia is not prepared to enter into agreements that fail to ensure a balance of interestsRead moreKremlin slams attempts to preserve unipolar world as 'very dangerous'At the same time, Dmitry Peskov pointed out that the global majority, represented by BRICS, is striving for a different world orderRead moreFACTBOX: What we know about deadly avalanche in Russia’s Kabardino-BalkariaAccording to the latest reports, 11 people were killedRead moreAlternative for Germany wins Saxony-Anhalt election with record 43.8%This is the AfD's best-ever result in any German state, doubling its share of the vote from the previous state election five years agoRead moreBridge on DPRK border to boost cooperation — Russian prime ministerMikhail Mishustin added that the bridge was constructed in a very short timeframeRead moreExpanded BRICS summit designed to strengthen grouping's global influence — expertThe upcoming BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12-13 will become a key stage in transforming the association into a real force for global developmentRead morePress review: Iran expands its naval war with US and EU blocks US ambitions in GreenlandTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, August 8thRead moreUkraine’s prosecutor general tenders resignationRuslan Kravchenko said this was a political decisionRead moreOman evacuates crew members of Saudi tanker attacked in Hormuz StraitONA reported that there were 25 people on board the tanker, with two crew members killed in the attackRead moreUkraine’s strikes lead to further escalation, tough Russian response — Foreign MinistryAccusations that Russia is working toward escalation are categorically untrue, Rodion Miroshnik addedRead moreZaporozhye NPP wants to restore its second power line to enhance its nuclear safetyAccording to the statement, it is also necessary to ensure regular fuel supplies for backup diesel generatorsRead moreRussian diplomat sees EU weaponizing human rights issue to put pressure on MoscowMaria Zakharova said what struck her most in the EU’s 2025 Annual Human Rights Report was "an excerpt on how the EU describes its own policy toward Russia"Read moreKiev seeks to inflict 'energy genocide' on civilians — Russian Foreign MinistryUkraine used the 90 bln euros allocated by the EU to strike marketplaces and energy infrastructure, Rodion Miroshnik said Read moreExternal power supply to Zaporozhye NPP restored — Rosatom CEOAlexey Likhachev thanked all agencies and ministries that facilitated the ceasefire needed to conduct repair worksRead moreRussian stock market closes with major indices upBCS World of Investments expects the MOEX Index to consolidate within the 2,230-2,270 point range on TuesdayRead moreLavrov compares the West to 'a wounded beast that is becoming far more dangerous'The Russian foreign minister pointed out that there can be no artificial preservation of Western dominance, which has lasted for over 500 yearsRead moreRussian diplomats doing everything to help families of those missing in Nepal — MFAMaria Zakharova says embassy officials are in direct contact with the relatives of the missing and with the Nepalese governmentRead moreRescue operation in wake of deadly Bezengi avalanche on hold until tomorrow’s dawnAccording to the Emergencies Ministry’s department in the region, 46 people are at the ready at the Bezengi alpine campRead morePolish military reports scrambling aircraft over Russian activity in UkraineAccording to the statement, these actions are "of a preventive nature"Read moreYemeni authorities intend to regain control over capital city of Sana — TVAl Jazeera cited an aide to the Yemeni defense minister as saying that "a decision has been made to liberate Sana." No further details were providedRead moreIN BRIEF: Situation around Hungary's expulsion of ten Russian diplomatsRussia’s "response to the Russophobic lobby in Budapest will be harsh and painful," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Read moreHungary expels 10 employees of the Russian embassy — Foreign MinisterAs a reason for the move, Anita Orban cited "conducting activities in Hungary incompatible with diplomatic status under the Vienna Convention"Read moreWitkoff states 'substantive progress' in Ukraine settlement negotiationsThe US special presidential envoy said it includes scheduling additional trilateral talksRead moreSeven vessels pass through Strait of Hormuz on September 7 — mediaAccording to a report by Reuters, traffic through the strait declined after Iran threatened to retaliate against any new US attacksRead moreWest wants ceasefire in Ukraine only to prepare for new escalation — Russian diplomatRussia will not agree to this, Rodion Miroshnik notedRead moreClosure of German Consulate General in St. Petersburg, Goethe centers: Russia’s responseThe head of the German diplomatic mission received corresponding notes, the Russian Foreign Ministry saidRead moreKiev’s Azov battalion has no motivated soldiers left — expertAndrey Marochko said the Azov fighters had lost steam, and Russian forces are now crushing what used to be elite unitsRead moreECHR takes up Russian figure skater’s complaint over banIn 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport banned Kamila Valieva for four years for an anti-doping rule violationRead moreAt least two killed in Houthi missile attack on refugee camp — TVAccording to a report by Al Hadath, several people more were woundedRead moreWest wanted to dismember Russia to plunder its wealth, Lavrov saysThe Russian foreign minister noted that the West miscalculatedRead moreUkrainian troops use Hornet drone in today’s attack on central DonetskThe Kiev regime attacked a traffic areaRead moreRussia’s discussions with US envoys on Ukraine based on Trump’s position — LavrovIt includes not drawing Ukraine into NATO and acknowledging the realities on the ground, the Russian foreign minister said Read moreTrump’s understanding of conflict’s root causes allows for useful contacts — LavrovAccording to the top Russian diplomat, the Trump administration has been displaying it from the very beginningRead moreRussia to achieve its goals on battlefield if West rejects compromise — Lavrov"If Western diplomacy boils down to holding back countries that put forward reasonable, balanced, compromise initiatives, then so be it," the Russian foreign minister saidRead moreBRICS relevance now clear to everyday people in Russia — deputy foreign ministerAccording to Sergey Ryabkov, the bloc has already become part of the public discourse and an element of everyday lifeRead moreRussia’s new radar system integrates AI capable of identifying all types of aerial targetsAccording to the company representative, the ALFA Sverkhdalnost can simultaneously track up to 20 targets flying at speeds ranging from 10 to 270 m/sRead moreCitizen of Moldova detained in Russia for an assassination attempt on serviceman — FSBThe FSB reported that Nicolae Cochu was recruited by Ukrainian special services in 2025 via a foreign social networkRead moreNo progress in peace process between Russia, Ukraine due to Kiev's fault — Russian MFAAmbassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik said the settlement process cannot be completed through the humanitarian track aloneRead moreThousands attend funeral of ex-Bosnian Serb military leader Mladic in BelgradeRatko Mladic’s son Darko thanked everybody who took part in the ceremonyRead moreRussian Post to receive anti-drone guns — documentEmployees’ duties, including guarding post offices and escorting cash shipments, determine both the types of weapons issued and the ammunition allocated for proficiency trainingRead moreRussia plans to work with all countries to strengthen global food security — Peskov"Russia has initiated a creation of a grain exchange, or BRICS grain exchange," the Kremlin spokesman said Read moreUkraine’s prosecutor general on Russia’s wanted list againRuslan Kravchenko submitted his resignation on MondayRead moreGerman chancellor pledges to maintain tough Russia policy after Saxony-Anhalt electionFriedrich Merz also pledged to continue supporting UkraineRead moreEU’s executive arm approves Kiev’s request for Patriot interceptors — portalSources told Hromadske that Kiev would use funds from the EU €90 billion loanRead moreCrisis around Iran impacts global economy and prices — ErdoganThe Turkish President said that oil prices had hit historic highsRead moreProspects for trilateral negotiations on Ukraine, visit of US emissaries: Kremlin briefingDmitry Peskov said that Moscow has no information regarding the results of the contacts between US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with the Kiev regimeRead moreDeath toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon exceeds 4,380 - health ministryAccording to the country’s ministry, Israeli warplanes are still seen in Lebanon’s airspaceRead moreConfidence in imminent victory, Putin’s visit to India: statements by Kremlin spokesmanRussia has to achieve its goals regarding Ukraine through a special military operation, although it would prefer to do so by peaceful means, Dmitry Peskov noted Read moreRussia orders closure of German consulate general in St. Petersburg — statementAll its employees should leave the Russian Federation no later than September 18, 2026Read moreWest, Ukraine obsessed with destabilizing Russia — senior diplomatSergey Ryabkov said he "would not expect any political miracles" from the upcoming BRICS summitRead moreRussia’s not seeking de-dollarization — KremlinSome countries do not allow Russia to use their currencies in trade, so Russia uses its own, Dmitry Peskov notedRead moreUS military sinks vessel supporting drug cartel in PacificAccording to the Southern Command, the US will hand over people on board to Ecuadorian authoritiesRead moreBRICS summit participants plan to focus particularly on AI — KremlinDmitry Peskov also mentioned other spheres, such as transportation, energy, science, healthcare, social sphere, cultural interactionRead moreNornickel, BELAZ agree to establish joint ventureThe companies are ramping up cooperation on the joint development of underground mining equipment, with the first units of machinery already undergoing trials at Norilsk minesRead moreRussia approves agreement on peaceful cooperation in space with SerbiaAmong other fields, potential cooperation includes outer space exploration, space medicine, remote Earth sensing, satellite systems, space meteorology, and manned space flightsRead moreDefense industry facilities, logistics centers in Kiev region: targets of Russian strikesRussian forces struck the Kiev-based Reinforced Concrete Structure Plant No. 1 in KievRead moreNorway's military buildup requires Russia take additional measures — KremlinDmitry Peskov said the Russian Defense Ministry, as well as other relevant services, are dealing with thisRead moreMorocco reports deportation of some 1,500 illegal migrants seeking to reach CeutaYoung Moroccans, minors too, account for the overwhelming number of those expelled, Hespress reportedRead moreRussia’s response to Ukrainian attacks, West’s strategic error: Lavrov’s statements"The world is multipolar regardless, because America is weakening in terms of its weight in the global economy and, consequently, its influence in global politics," the Russian foreign minister said Read moreZelensky wants prolonged conflict to maintain power, enrich himself, says PhilippotThe leader of France's The Patriots party expressed confidence that Paris must stop fueling corruption in UkraineRead more81st UN General Assembly session opens in New YorkHigh-level general debate, attended by heads of state and government and foreign ministers, is traditionally the centerpiece of its opening monthRead moreRussia to emerge from Ukraine conflict even stronger militarily — RUSI reportRussia has shifted from relying on mass firepower to mass precision strikesRead moreUS envoys bring worse peace terms to Kiev than before — lawmakerAnna Skorokhod said that no constitutional amendments or recognition of territories were required previouslyRead moreFinland finishes building fence on border with RussiaThe project launched in 2024 cost an estimated €365 million, according to the border guard of the Nordic countryRead moreDecisions on BRICS expansion unlikely to be reached at summit in New Delhi — diplomatSergey Ryabkov still said there is a fairly impressive list of countries that are reiterating their intention to join BRICSRead moreHigh time for Ukraine peace deal — US Congresswoman LunaAnna Paulina Luna said the peace deal will be a good thing for AmericansRead moreDetained citizen of Moldova promised $70,000 to kill senior military officerDuring interrogation, the defendant gave detailed testimony on all circumstances of the crimes committed, later confirmed during a verification of testimony at the sceneRead moreRussia plans to launch serial production of domestic aircraft in Far EastThe strategy envisions defining parameters for developing a domestic long-haul aircraft and setting up its assembly lines in the Far EastRead morePress review: US may revive Russia-Ukraine talks as Dutch push on frozen assets growsTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, August 7thRead moreSituation around Iran is most pressing political issue for BRICS, says Russian diplomatSergey Ryabkov explained that there are countries within the organization that "take a sharply critical stance toward what Tehran is doing and has been doing recently"Read moreUK to announce ban on trade with Israeli settlements — mediaAccording to a report by The Telegraph, the restrictions will be introduced despite criticism from the US administration and some members of the Labour PartyRead moreThree-day moratorium on strikes on Kiev expiresThe moratorium was introduced in connection with US negotiators’ visit to UkraineRead moreKremlin says anti-Russian sanctions secondary to Ukrainian settlementRussia considers Western sanctions unacceptable, Dmitry Peskov notedRead moreZelensky mistaken about chances of stopping Russia — mediaOwen Matthews, a columnist for The Spectator, argued that as winter approaches, Ukraine is about to run out of "not only Patriot missiles and men for the front lines, but money to fight on"Read moreUS redirects 94 vessels since resuming naval blockade of IranCENTCOM forces also disabled three and boarded two shipsRead moreUkrainian strikes kill 46 civilians, injure 266 in Russia over past week — diplomat"The highest number of civilian casualties resulting from Ukrainian attacks was recorded in the Belgorod Region, the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic, and the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions," Rodion Miroshnik saidRead moreRussia to ease visa rules, upgrade infrastructure to boost Far East tourismThe strategy also outlines plans to modernize regional airports, expand flight networks, improve road infrastructure, and upgrade port facilities to support cruise tourismRead moreRussia’s readiness for talks on Ukraine and EU’s attempts to derail them: Lavrov’s remarksRussia is always ready for talks on Ukraine based on an understanding of the root causes of the crisis and aimed at reaching agreements to address them, the Russian foreign minister said Read moreLavrov, Saudi foreign minister to hold talks in MoscowThe sides are expected to reaffirm their positions on the inadmissibility of a return to escalation in the Persian Gulf regionRead moreUkrainian troops adopt defensive posture in many sectors of special op — expertAndrey Marochko said that Ukrainian armed formations had practically abandoned the use of heavy armored vehiclesRead moreUkrainian forces shell DPR settlements 53 times over past dayFourteen civilians were injuredRead moreTrump's approval rating falls to record low — Financial Times pollAccording to the study, only 33% of respondents supported Trump's current political course, compared to 35% a month earlierRead moreNearly 90% of Germans dissatisfied with government — pollAccording to data collected by Infratest dimap, among dissatisfied respondents, 63% were most unhappy with the Christian DemocratsRead moreRussian retaliatory strikes for Ukraine’s attacks carry graver consequences, Lavrov saysAccording to the Russian foreign minister, the end of Ukraine is not a happy one, so he feels sorry for BritainRead moreIN BRIEF: Injured in Saratov, 384 UAVs, aftermath of attacks on Russian regionsTen people, including three children, were injured in a drone attack on SaratovRead moreUS midterms unlikely to improve Congress’s attitude toward Russia — former lawmakerAccording to Dennis Kucinich, the elections will most likely strengthen the Democrats’ positionRead moreReports indicate injuries in drone attack on SaratovCivilian infrastructure has been damagedRead moreMoscow to retaliate harshly, painfully to Budapest’s expulsion of diplomats — diplomatForeign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the Hungarian actions as "Russophobic lobby"Read moreDPRK defense minister describes military cooperation by South Korea, US, Japan as threatKim Song-gi pointed to the Freedom Edge exercises, which the United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan have been conducting since September 7Read moreFormer F1 head Bernie Ecclestone arrested in Portugal for illegal arms possessionThe incident took place near LisbonRead moreRefusal to negotiate with Russia West’s biggest mistake — UK columnistOwen Matthews says Europe has no concrete plan to help KievRead moreProgress MS-33 ends its 6-month mission — RoscosmosAccording to the statement, the unburned structural components fell into a non-navigable area of the Pacific OceanRead moreSome 1,700 Ukrainian troops encircled in Kharkov Region — Russia’s top brassOver the past 24 hours, the enemy lost up to 40 troops, an armored combat vehicle, two pickup trucks and three quadsRead moreEU preparing special observers to 'secretly monitor' State Duma elections, Lavrov saysThe Russian foreign minister also recalled the 2025 elections in RomaniaRead moreRussia advocates only for long-term settlement of Ukraine conflict — foreign ministryRodion Miroshnik noted that Kiev is calling for the introduction of a ceasefire regime only to gain a pause and prepare for the next stage of escalationRead more