Occupational authorities replace local priests with Russian ones in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine - CNS
Kyiv • UNN
In the occupied territories of Ukraine, personnel changes among the clergy have begun. Local collaborators are being replaced by priests from Russia to strengthen control.
The occupation administration has begun personnel reshuffles among the clergy in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. This is reported by the Center for National Resistance of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (CNR), informs UNN.
Details
It is noted that clergymen who, after the start of the occupation, agreed to cooperate with the occupation authorities and supported their policies, are gradually being removed from leadership positions, transferred to remote regions of Russia, or are leaving the ministry altogether.
Instead, priests directly from Russia, whom the Kremlin trusts significantly more, are arriving in the occupied territories. It is they who receive key positions in dioceses and parishes located in the temporarily occupied territories
It is indicated that such personnel decisions testify to Russia's desire to establish full control over religious life in the TOT.
The newly appointed clergymen not only conduct services but also actively promote Russian state narratives, support the occupation authorities, and use church communities as another channel for spreading propaganda
They add that even local collaborators, who have helped the occupation administration for years, no longer inspire trust in the Kremlin: they are being replaced by people from Russia, who are considered more loyal and ready to carry out the ideological tasks of the occupation authorities.
Recall
The Russian Orthodox Church has officially approved prayers for war, in particular the mandatory prayer "for Holy Rus'" with a request for victory for the Russian Federation.