Persecution of Catholics in Russian-Occupied Ukraine

Russian occupation authorities formally banned the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) and Catholic humanitarian groups in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region, labeling them “foreign intelligence” entities.

All Greek- and Latin-rite Catholic priests have been expelled or fled, leaving “not a single Catholic priest” serving in the occupied territories, according to UGCC leadership.

Russian forces have killed nearly 70 clergy and destroyed over 630 places of worship in Ukraine, with occupation authorities central to the repression.

Catholic churches and properties have been seized and rededicated for the Russian Orthodox Church, described by UGCC leadership as a sacrilege.

Two UGCC Redemptorist priests, Fr. Ivan Levitsky and Fr. Bohdan Geleta, were abducted in late 2022 and subjected to torture while held in Russian custody.

Experts testifying to U.S. lawmakers described the situation for Christians in occupied Ukraine as worse than Soviet-era repression, with Catholics among targeted groups.

Catholic observers report that the war is not merely military but also a campaign to erase independent churches and impose a Moscow-aligned religious regime.