Over 600 churches destroyed, 67 clergy members murdered by Russia
Russian forces have killed or tortured 67 priests, pastors, and monks and damaged or destroyed over 600 Ukrainian churches and religious sites since the full-scale invasion began, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X on April 19.
“These are not just ‘collateral losses’,” Zelenskyy said, labeling the Russian army “one of the greatest threats to Christian churches and believers.”
“A missile struck the altar of an Orthodox cathedral in Odesa. Artillery has left temples in ruins. Prayer houses burn from Russian bombs. 640 religious sites have been destroyed, most of them Christian.”
Zelenskyy vowed that Ukraine will rebuild all damaged religious sites, noting that dozens have already been restored in de-occupied territories.
“We are also freeing priests and pastors from Russian captivity, doing everything to protect Ukrainian cities and villages and the lives within them, and restoring the ability to believe—believe that evil and ruins will not prevail,” he added.
The president expressed gratitude to those supporting Ukraine and voiced hope that “what makes people human, their connection to God, will triumph.”
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