Russia accuses Ukraine of targeting civilians, erasing canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Europe-Asia, International

LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 12, 2026 — The Russian Government has accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting civilians in the ongoing conflict, alleging that Kyiv is venting frustration over its failures on the frontlines.

A statement from Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday, claimed that more than 240 civilians, including 13 children, were affected in the past week, with 31 killed. Newpost Africa has not independently verified these claims.

The statement quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova: “Russian law enforcement agencies continue to hold Ukrainian fighters and mercenaries accountable on criminal charges. As of March 7, the DPR’s judiciary bodies had delivered 1,084 guilty verdicts. The neo-Nazi Kiev regime continues to perpetrate terrorist attacks by targeting civilians, venting its frustration with its failures on the front lines.”

Russia also accused Ukraine of persecuting members of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, forcing them into what it described as the “quasi-Orthodox Church of Ukraine.” Zakharova alleged that Kyiv seeks to eradicate canonical Orthodoxy: “Kiev is ready to do anything to ensure that the quasi-Orthodox Church of Ukraine absorbs the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church and becomes the only national church. But it will fail. People are in no hurry to join the OCU, and the seized churches remain empty.”

She added that Ukrainian officials plan to tighten what they call “spiritual independence,” describing it as “another attempt by the Zelensky regime to eradicate canonical Orthodoxy. Peak Orwellian logic.”

Recall that in 2017, Russia banned Jehovah’s Witnesses after labeling the group extremist, arguing that their teachings undermined social order and posed a threat to state security. The ban led to the liquidation of their national headquarters and closure of local congregations, effectively criminalizing their religious activities. The ban resulted in arrests, imprisonment, and confiscation of property, despite international rulings affirming Russia violated freedom of worship.