The Russian Orthodox Church has condemned a recent 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."

Read more: Kirill: Russia, Ukraine are one nation, church persecution 'pathetic'

The move comes amid heightened tensions amid Russia's military operation in Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, referenced 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."

BREAKING: Ukrainian parliament votes to ban Ukrainian Orthodox Church. pic.twitter.com/kcHjCk5gvJ

— blue pill red pill your choice (@andred928) August 20, 2024

Cultural targets 

On November 24, 2022, Russian news agency Interfax reported that Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada registered a bill calling for the imposition of a nationwide ban on the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

According to the European Solidarity Party, the bill would ban any institutions or organizations which are in part or totally affiliated to the Russian Orthodox faith from carrying out religious activities "in canonical, organizational and other issues," it said in a message on Telegram.  

It further added that the bill aims to defend Ukraine's national security as it associates "the liberation of Ukraine from the Russian Orthodox Church [to] another step towards independent Ukraine."

The move towards banning the Russian Orthodox Church is owed to allegations that certain church members were carrying out spy operations on the Ukraine government. 

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine declared on May 27, 2022, its complete break up from the Russian Orthodox Church due to disagreements over Russia's special military operation. 

Orthodox Bishop Kirill, who has been Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus' and Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church on 1 February 2009, has backed Russia's military campaign in Ukraine, calling on supporters to rally to fight Moscow's "external and internal enemies."

Due to this, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church ceased the commemoration of Patriarch Kirill. 

Following the move, the Moscow Patriarchate said he "understood" their decision to be caused by external pressure.