Information War in the Religious Sphere in the Context of the "Battle" for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

A key finding of this study is the identification of pro-Russian propaganda materials within the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra which raises significant concerns about the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP)'s role in an information war targeting Ukrainian society. The research analyzes the UOC-MP's non-religious activities and their implications for its continued operation at the site, including the expiration of its contract with the Ministry of Culture. It also examines declassified archival documents on historical cooperation between the Orthodox Church and Soviet special services, highlighting potential factors contributing to the decision to revoke the UOC-MP's rights. The study combines legal analysis, archival research, and investigative findings from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to provide a comprehensive assessment of the UOC-MP's influence and activities.

Synchak, B., Yelisovenko, Y., & Romanchuk, S. (2023). Information War in the Religious Sphere in the Context of the “Battle” for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe, 43(7). https://doi.org/10.55221/2693-2148.2464