Zelenskyy calls Russian army one of the biggest threats to churches and believers

The president noted that due to the war, many Ukrainians will go to the destroyed or damaged churches.

He also described the Russian army as one of the greatest current threats to Christian churches and believers. The head of state reported that during the years of full-scale war, Russian strikes have destroyed or damaged more than 600 churches, prayer houses, and places of worship.

"Sixty-seven Ukrainian priests, pastors, and monks have been killed or tortured by Russian occupiers. And this is not just 'collateral damage.' A missile struck the altar of the Orthodox cathedral in Odessa. Artillery leaves churches in ruins. Prayer houses burn from Russian bomb strikes. Six hundred and forty religious sites have been destroyed, most of them Christian. But we will rebuild them all," Zelenskyy said.

The head of state added that in the deoccupied regions, dozens of sacred structures have already been restored.

"Just as we are freeing priests and pastors from Russian captivity, just as we are doing everything to protect Ukrainian cities and villages and the lives of people in them, we are returning the opportunity to believe – to believe that evil and destruction will not prevail. Thank you to everyone who helps! Thank you to all those around the world who refuse to leave people at the mercy of evil. And what makes people human, what preserves their connection to God, must prevail!" Zelenskyy added.

Russian shelling of Ukrainian churches

Over three years of full-scale war, Russian forces have damaged and destroyed many churches and religious buildings across Ukraine.

On Easter in April 2023, the military of the aggressor country destroyed the Church of Archangel Michael in the Zaporizhzhia region.

In July 2023, Russian forces damaged the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa with a missile strike.

And in February 2025, the Russian army completely destroyed the Church of the First Martyr and Archdeacon Stephen in Kryvyi Rih.