Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has condemned Ukraine's recent actions against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) as "satanism" and a move to "outdo the atheism of the Soviet period."

In a harsh critique, Medvedev stated that while the Soviet Union, despite its atheist stance, did not ban religions, the current Ukrainian authorities, which he dubbed "neo-Nazi', appeared to be undertaking a more extreme approach.

"This vile story was started, as we know, by Poroshenko," Medvedev declared.

He accused Ukrainian officials of launching a "vile story" against the UOC, a campaign he attributes to former President Petro Poroshenko. "In order to please his own ambitions and to be elected president of Ukraine, he agreed with the West on a split in Orthodoxy and the creation of the heretical PCU," Medvedev explained.

Zelensky exacerbated persecution of Orthodox Christians

Medvedev described the creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) as a failed initiative and criticized Poroshenko's successors. He labeled current Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "drug-addicted creature" lacking religious identity, who has exacerbated the persecution of Orthodox Christians.

"This is where the defeat of Ukrainian Orthodoxy and persecution of Christians for their faith began," he said, referring to the Ukrainian parliament’s recent decision stemming from the Poroshenko era.

In his statement, Medvedev accused Zelensky and his government of engaging in what he called "full-fledged Satanism."

He further asserted that the West supports this crackdown to damage Russia.

"The cocaine creature and his ghouls" are supported by the "civilized West" to inflict harm on Russia and its citizens, Medvedev claimed.

Medvedev prophesied severe consequences for Ukraine, likening its fate to that of Sodom and Gomorrah from the Old Testament.

"The country will be destroyed like Sodom and Gomorrah, and the demons will inevitably fall," he warned.

He cited a biblical passage, "Then Jesus struck them and killed them and hanged them on five trees; and they hung on the trees until evening" (Joshua 10:26), to underscore his prediction of imminent retribution.

Medvedev concluded by expressing his belief that "the True Orthodox Church in the former Ukrainian lands will shine in its former splendor" once the current trials are over.

Russian church condemns Kiev's ban on Ukraine Orthodox Church

The Russian Orthodox Church has condemned a vote by Ukrainian lawmakers to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

This comes after MPs in Kiev on Tuesday approved a bill that outlaws religious organizations connected to Russia, including the UOC, which is alleged to be affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church, also known as the Moscow Patriarchate.

In a statement published on Telegram, Russian Orthodox Church spokesman Vladimir Legoida called the vote "an unlawful act" and "the grossest violation of the basic principles of freedom of conscience and human rights."

He warned that the bill, which still requires President Volodymyr Zelensky's signature to become law, lays the groundwork for "the total liquidation of the parishes of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church."

Legoida warned that enforcing this law could lead to "acts of mass violence against millions of believers."

The move comes amid heightened tensions amid Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, cited the challenging times the Church is facing, stating that many have turned against them "not because we are bad but only because we are different."

In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defended the law, stating that it would strengthen Ukraine's independence, particularly in the context of the ongoing war which has inadvertently led to religious divides as a result of Ukrainian authorities targeting Russian elements. 

Zelensky hailed the Verkhovna Rada's decision as a step toward "spiritual independence" and stressed the government's commitment to "strengthening Ukraine and our society."

Read more: How the war on the Moscow Patriarchate is a war on collective identity