Cathedral of the Dormition – Kiev Pechersk Lavra photo by Jorge Láscar from Australia 
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Courtesy of Wikimedia

Politico.eu reports on some ways in which Putin’s brutality has injured Russian influence in Ukraine, perhaps forever:

Excerpt:

KYIV — President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine has triggered many unintended consequences — from prodding Sweden and Finland to join NATO to turning Russia into a pariah state. And now to the list can be added the wrecking of the Moscow-tied Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), once a useful Kremlin tool of influence.

The Ukrainian authorities are considering banning the church — and draft legislation has already been prepared by opposition parties to do just that. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to make an announcement soon about the future of the church, whether there will be an outright ban or an option for the church to form a new one shorn of any ties to the Russian Orthodox Church and its leader, Patriarch Kirill, a vociferous supporter of the invasion.

But even without the ban the UOC is in rapid decline, with more priests and worshippers poised to defect to the rival, independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Since the invasion more than 200 parishes have switched allegiance; many others are planning to defect but are facing obstacles from UOC authorities, which are trying to block them, including at the Church of Archangel Michael in the village of Zadubrivka in southwest Ukraine.

…

“Of course, it is a difficult transition for many, I would say about half of them are struggling to adjust. But they understand that it’s very important for the soul of our country. They have sons, daughters and friends on the front lines, and they understand that the church must be with the Ukrainian people, and the Ukrainian army,” he added.

“So, half the people come and are not struggling, and the others are still thinking about the transition,” he said. But he’s sure religious faith and national identity will blend. According to one poll, only 4 percent of Ukrainians now formally identify with the Moscow-tied church.

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In the past, Zelenskyy’s government has been hesitant to move against Moscow’s church in Ukraine, not wanting to cross any lines on the freedom of religious expression, or fall foul of the European Union or international norms on protecting worship. It has wanted to avoid offending the church’s adherents, acutely aware that within the ranks of its priests and worshippers are plenty of patriotic Ukrainians, some fighting on the front lines against the Russians.

But evidence that the church’s leaders have acted to varying degrees as cheerleaders for the enemy prompted a change of heart amid public clamor for action.

Glory to Ukraine!