Nearly 500 chaplains from 13 denominations serve in Armed Forces – Shmyhal

Patch on the uniform of one of the military chaplains of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Photo: dess.gov.ua

On December 6, 2025, during his address at the Military Prayer Breakfast, Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal stated that approximately 500 military chaplains representing 13 religious organizations are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Interfax-Ukraine reports.

“Special words of gratitude to our military chaplains. Nearly 500 spiritual mentors from 13 religious organizations bring the word of God to Ukrainian warriors today. They come to defeat pain and despair, to strengthen faith and give hope,” the minister said. He also emphasized the importance of united prayer for peace and security in Ukraine: “A free world that prays together can never be overcome.”

At the same time, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, noted that the tradition of the Military Prayer Breakfast underscores the need for unity – something especially vital under current conditions.

It should be noted that, according to the head of the AFU Military Chaplaincy Service, Oleksandr Vovkotecha, overall staffing of chaplaincy positions is only about 45%. With an authorized strength of nearly 1,700 positions, the corps remains only partially staffed: chaplain positions are filled at roughly 43%, and their assistants at about 40%. Representatives of 13 religious organizations serve, including the OCU, UGCC, Protestant, and Muslim communities; UOC clergy are not permitted to serve due to a legislative ban.

As a reminder, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved amendments to the regulations on issuing mandates for military chaplaincy that officially prohibit UOC clergy from serving as chaplains in AFU units. The decision was announced by the government’s permanent representative in the Verkhovna Rada, Taras Melnychuk.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Syrskyi instructed officials to intensify the recruitment of chaplains for the AFU.

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