Religious Freedom

Religious Freedom Initiative

The collapse of the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago brought great hope for increased religious freedom throughout the post-Soviet/Eurasian region. However, during the past decade, there has been a sharp increase in religious freedom violations against religious minorities—most notably evangelical Christians—in Russia, Belarus, the countries of Central Asia, and most recently, Ukraine.

Russia’s first invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014 set the stage for its second full-scale invasion in February 2022, which has resulted in the brutal and systematic targeting of religious leaders and religious communities, particularly in Ukraine’s occupied territories. Since the beginning of the war, more than 660 religious buildings, theological institutions, and places of worship have been destroyed, and many other religious sites have been repurposed as military centers for use by Russian forces. Tragically, pastors and other Christian leaders have been subjected to torture and death on an unprecedented scale since the war began.

To draw global attention and support for the church in Ukraine and across Eurasia, which is increasingly under attack, Mission Eurasia launched the Religious Freedom Initiative. Through this initiative, the global community is invited to join Mission Eurasia in helping the church withstand and overcome the hostilities and opposition it faces as it stands as a beacon of hope and light, proclaiming Christ to the people of Eurasia.