Zelensky: Russia killed our priests for refusing to serve Kirill
Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: Screenshot from the CBN YouTube Channel
In an interview with the American channel CBN, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia intentionally destroyed Ukrainian churches and tortured and executed priests for refusing to serve Patriarch Kirill.
According to Zelensky, the Russian army "destroyed schools and churches everywhere on Ukrainian territory, simply to leave no trace behind."
He claimed that Russia killed 50 priests and destroyed 700 churches. Moreover, he noted that the priests "were killed in various ways."
"There is clear evidence of how they tortured them," Zelensky said. "Why were they tortured? Simply because they were supposed to serve Kirill, the Patriarch of Moscow, and his Church."
"These priests just refused. And for that, they were executed. They simply tried to break people, but they couldn’t break the spirit of certain individuals, so they just killed 50 priests," the President stated, without specifying the denomination of the murdered clergy.
He is also convinced that the Russian army deliberately destroyed churches in Ukrainian territory.
"What did they gain by destroying about 700 churches? They attacked them with bombs and missiles. Wherever they entered our state’s territory, they simply destroyed and burned these churches. What did they gain from that?" Zelensky asked his interviewer.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to statistics from the portal "Christians Against War", as of mid-2024, 30 priests of the UOC had been killed in the fighting, and 5 more were missing.
Read also
Zelensky: We are preparing for millennium of symbolic place of our strength
The President signed a decree launching preparations for the 1,000th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which will mark 975 years since its foundation in August 2026.
Zelensky says where Mazepa monument will be erected in Kyiv
A monument to Hetman Ivan Mazepa will be erected on Shevchenko Boulevard in Kyiv – at the site where the monument to Lenin was toppled in December 2013.
Zelensky marks Constitution Day at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
The President posed for a photo with S. Dumenko and Stefanchuk against the backdrop of a bust of Mazepa.
Sweden launches map of mosques to monitor spread of Islam
The Sweden Democrats added 238 mosques and prayer rooms to a migration map, stating the need to monitor their funding.
Lavra abbot ordains monastery resident as deacon
During the Liturgy at St. Barbara Church, Metropolitan Pavel ordained Monk Avramiy, a resident of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, to the diaconate.
Turkish officials arrested over extortion from Constantinople Church
In Istanbul, the head of the Adalar district and municipal officials were arrested in a case involving extortion from an Orthodox foundation that was exempt from fees.