Ukraine's Religious Divide: A Talk Show Debate on Russia's Influence

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, a recent discussion on Suspilne's "New Countdown" talk show shed light on the complex relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and its Ukrainian counterparts. Metropolitan Alexander Drabynko of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (PCU) and Metropolitan Clement, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC)'s information and educational department, engaged in a lively debate about the extent of Russian influence. Metropolitan Drabynko stated, "Russian officials consistently portray their actions as a rescue mission, a claim we strongly refute." This highlights the deep divisions within Ukrainian Orthodoxy and the ongoing struggle for religious independence from Moscow. The discussion underscores the importance of understanding the religious dimension of the conflict and the role of faith in shaping national identity during wartime.