Russia’s church arm in Ukraine recognized as foreign-linked

The so-called Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has been officially recognized as affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activities are banned in Ukraine. The decision, issued by the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, follows an investigation that confirmed the structure’s continued ties to the Russian Orthodox Church.

On 27 August, Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) adopted a formal decision to classify the Kyiv Metropolia of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine. The designation was issued under Article 3 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Religious Organizations."

The decision came after a detailed investigation into the nature of the Metropolia’s connections. Authorities found clear indicators of affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church — a body already banned in Ukraine for its role in undermining national sovereignty and serving Russian state interests under the guise of religion.

The finding constitutes a direct violation of Ukraine’s Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations." In response, the DESS issued an official instruction ordering the Kyiv Metropolia to eliminate this violation.

Moscow’s clergy refused to comply

Last month, DESS found that the UOC is still affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church despite claims to the contrary. The service warned the head of the UOC MP, Metropolitan Onufrii, that unless his church showed clear, official proof of cutting ties with Moscow by 18 August—including formal decisions, public rejections, and a complete break in practice—it would be treated as still under Russian control, as investigators had already found it continues to follow Moscow’s rules, liturgy, and leadership despite its claims of independence.

Onufrii, reportedly issued a letter stating his refusal to comply with the order. This open defiance removed any basis for revising or withdrawing the official warning under Ukrainian law.

In accordance with Part 15 of Article 16 of the Law, and in the absence of evidence that the violation was corrected or that the order was mistakenly issued, the DESS moved forward. It officially recognized the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC as affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activity is banned on Ukrainian territory.

Legal action formalized

The final ruling was sealed in Order No. Н-127/11, signed by DESS head Viktor Yelenskyi. The order is legally grounded in Article 5-1 and Part Seventeen of Article 16 of the Law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations." The basis for the order is a memo submitted by the Head of the Religious Affairs Department, dated 27 August 2025.

The order mandates that the organizational and communications department publish the decision on the official DESS website within three days.