The Impact of the Russian-Ukrainian Military Conflict on Religious Life in Ukraine

Abstract

The article investigates changes in the religious sphere of Ukraine since the beginning of the military conflict in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The use of religious rhetoric to justify the annexation of the Crimea and to invade part of the Ukrainian territory has caused a serious shift in the religious self-identification of a considerable number of Ukrainians. These changes are manifested at several levels. On the personal level there was the reorientation of the most faithful to the pro-Ukrainian religious organizations or to the rejection of religion in general. At the institutional level there was an ambivalent effect. On the one hand, it triggered a series of parish conversions that caused new religious conflicts. On the other hand, it intensified the search for ways to consolidate Ukrainian churches. All these changes put on the agenda of Ukraine several challenges related to the defence of religious rights and freedom and defence of national security. The article is based on various sources produced by churches and their leaders, latest sociological data, and reports of human rights organizations and religious studies institutions.