Yelensky discusses religious freedom with Chernivtsi RMA chief

Zaparaniuk and Yelensky. Photo: DESS Facebook page

On March 6, 2025, Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), met with Ruslan Zaparaniuk, head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration (OVA), according to a Facebook post by the DESS press service.

The statement mentioned that "during the meeting, discussions focused on the efforts of religious communities to meet the spiritual needs of the people of Bukovyna during the war, as well as their social, charitable, and cultural activities."

Yelensky informed Zaparaniuk about the progress in implementing the law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and about "protecting the constitutional order in the activities of religious organizations."

"In turn, Ruslan Zaparaniuk spoke about the religious and social situation in the region and the specifics of monitoring compliance with freedom of conscience," the statement read. However, no further details about the discussions were provided.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the head of DESS assured his Romanian counterpart that Ukraine guarantees freedom of religion.

Read also

Footage of UOC church seizure in Zabolottia published online

Raiders from the OCU attacked UOC parishioners and then spent half an hour breaking locks under police protection.

Abbot of German monastery supports Metropolitan Longin

Schema-Archimandrite Johannes called to stop the persecution and slander against the bishop.