Lviv, Ukraine, Apr 20, 2018 / 11:07 am
War continues to ravage eastern Ukraine, where conflict erupted in April 2014 following Russia's annexation of Crimea and the violent actions of pro-Russian separatists.
Along with forcing at least 1.6 million people from their homes, the ongoing conflict has also resulted in the persecution of Protestant pastors and churches throughout the territories that are occupied by pro-Russian separatist groups. One such group is the Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), which is located in Ukraine's Luhansk region and declared independence in May 2014.
While the international community does not recognize the LNR as a legitimate state, this group's totalitarian power is growing. During the last four years, the LNR has committed numerous acts of religious persecution against Protestant pastors and churches (as well as other pro-Ukrainian Churches) in the Luhansk region, including abduction, torture, and property confiscation. In fact, on March 27, 2018, the LNR raided the House of Prayer, a church in Stahanov, taking everything and leaving the church completely empty.
The following is a brief summary and analysis to create awareness about the LNR's new religion law and appeal to the international community to create pressure on the LNR and support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine who are losing their freedom to worship and living in constant fear as they suffer for their faith.