"Religious Persecution: Russian Orthodox Priests Advocate for Peace in Ukraine"

At least 30 Orthodox priests in Russia have faced pressure from religious or state authorities for advocating peace in Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox Church, which has supported the fighting in Ukraine, has punished priests who publicly oppose the war, accusing them of engaging in politics. These priests risk being reassigned, relieved of their duties, or defrocked. Only a small fraction of the more than 40,000 clergymen in the Russian Orthodox Church have spoken out against the conflict. The few public voices against the fighting are seen as crucial in breaking the perceived monolithic position of the church.