Letter to President Zelensky
His Excellency Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President of Ukraine
Office of the President
Bankova Street, 11
Kyiv 01220
Ukraine
Subject: Formal Notification of Intent to Submit Evidence to the International Criminal Court Regarding Alleged Persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Your Excellency,
I write to you with grave concern regarding the recent actions taken by your administration that have significantly impacted the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and its faithful. The enactment and enforcement of Law No. 3894-IX, titled “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations,” have led to the suppression of religious freedoms, including the banning of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church, such as the UOC. This law, effective from September 23, 2024, has resulted in the closure of churches, eviction of clergy, and seizure of religious properties.
Reports have emerged detailing instances of violence and intimidation against UOC clergy and parishioners. Notably, on October 17, 2024, a violent clash erupted at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy, where supporters of the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) displaced the Moscow-affiliated UOC, resulting in several injuries. Additionally, on May 22, 2025, radicals desecrated the St. Nicholas Cathedral in Khmelnytskyi by pouring pig’s blood on the premises during Metropolitan Onufriy’s visit.
Furthermore, a report by the Academic Workshop of Religious Studies indicates that 643 religious structures have been damaged during the ongoing conflict, with 51 completely destroyed. The majority of these belonged to the UOC.
These actions raise serious concerns about the commitment to democratic principles and the protection of religious freedoms in Ukraine. The suppression of a religious community based on its historical affiliations, without concrete evidence of wrongdoing, undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent.
In light of these developments, I am formally notifying you of my intent to submit evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the alleged persecution of the UOC and its members. This submission will include documentation of the aforementioned incidents and any other relevant materials that demonstrate potential violations of international human rights laws.
I urge you to reconsider the measures enacted against the UOC and to take immediate steps to ensure the protection of religious freedoms in Ukraine. It is crucial to foster an environment of tolerance and respect for all religious communities.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. May the Almighty guide us all towards justice and compassion.
With deepest respect and hope for a brighter future,
Konstantin Anthony Romanov