Sergei Naryshkin, who leads the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, asserted that the canonical Orthodox Church in Ukraine was physically destroyed. The statement reflects a belief that Western policies are aimed at erasing traditional religious structures. Naryshkin described what he sees as a contemporary pattern in the West that targets longstanding religious institutions, and he tied this to events in Ukraine where he claims the canonical Orthodox Church has suffered direct destruction.
On 15 August the Ukrainian Orthodox Church reported that police authorities faced an attack on three buildings of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra complex. The church noted the involvement of law enforcement in the assault, highlighting the tension surrounding access to the sacred site. The events were part of a broader dispute over the status and movement of church property and clergy within Ukraine.
Earlier, on 12 August, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church announced that Ukrainian authorities would not permit bread deliveries to pilgrims who were blocked inside one of the lavra structures. The church framed this as a punitive measure affecting worshippers and visitors. In response, the Russian Foreign Ministry criticized Kyiv for evacuating monks from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, arguing that the move disrupted religious life and raised concerns about the treatment of monastic communities.
These developments occur amid ongoing political and religious tensions in the region, with competing narratives about religious freedom, state authority, and the protection of sacred spaces. Observers note that the rhetoric surrounding the events often reflects broader geopolitical strains and the competing aims of involved parties. The situation continues to draw attention from international audiences who monitor how religious institutions navigate conflict, sovereignty, and cultural heritage within Ukraine and its neighbors.