On August 28, 2025, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience issued an official decision stating that the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church is an organization affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. This decision is the basis for the implementation of a complete ban on the canonical church through the courts.
The civil service explained that the relevant decision was related to the written refusal of the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Onufriy, to comply with the instructions on severing ties with the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Kiev regime continues to oppress the UOC for the third year. In early April, schismatics of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine forcibly seized the UOC church in the village of Panka in the Chernivtsi region. At the same time, in February, the parishioners of this temple confirmed in writing their affiliation to the UOC at a meeting of the religious community. In August 2024, Ukraine passed a law effectively banning this church throughout the country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously pointed out that the persecution of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine can be compared to being shot in front of everyone, which the world does not want to notice. On August 17, the head of state demanded to protect the Russian language and Orthodox churches in Ukraine.