Classic: Putin's War - The Spiritual and Ideological Battle Behind the Invasion of Ukraine

Unbelievable?

Premier Unbelievable?

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.6 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 3 June 2025

⏱️ 66 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Originally recorded in March 2022, this classic Unbelievable? takes us back to the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As the world grappled with the shock of war, this conversation sought to uncover a deeper layer of the conflict — its religious and ideological roots. Justin Brierley is joined by Father Cyril Hovorun, a Ukrainian Orthodox priest and theologian, and Clifford Longley, a Catholic journalist and Tablet contributor. Together, they explore the ancient Christian heritage shared by Russia and Ukraine, the mystical ideology of “Holy Rus,” and how Putin’s vision of spiritual destiny has shaped his aggression. While some see this war as a purely political power play, this episode argues that religion, nationalism, and myth all play a critical role in Putin’s motivations. 🎧 Listen to this important archive conversation 📥 Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast for new episodes every week Fr Cyril Hovorun: https://www.sanktignatios.org/dr-cyril-hovorun Clifford Longley: https://www.thetablet.co.uk/editors-desk/2/21568/religious-roots-of-ukraine-crisis- • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Transcript

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0:00.0	The Bible is God's big story. But where do you begin? Explore the Bible one step at a time with the Bible course new edition.
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0:16.3	With videos, guidebook and digital hub, it will help you feel more confident in understanding the Bible,
0:22.6	connecting with God's word and applying it to your daily life.
0:26.8	Search the Bible course new edition now.
0:30.0	Welcome along to today's edition of the show.
0:32.3	It's time to talk about Ukraine and Putin's Holy War to excellent guests joining me for today's program.
0:39.3	Well, today we're looking at the religious roots of Putin's invasion of the Ukraine.
0:44.5	Father Cyril Hovaron and Clifford Longley join me.
0:47.6	The world has watched in shock at the invasion of Ukraine over the last week.
0:52.1	Our news feeds have been filled with the bombings, the casualties,
0:55.1	the fleeing refugees, the economic sanctions being levied on Vladimir Putin's Russia by Western
1:00.7	powers. But what's not been covered in depth is this is not merely a geopolitical crisis,
1:06.9	but that there is a religious background to this war. Over a millennia ago, another Vladimir, Vladimir the Great, was converted to the Orthodox Church,
1:15.5	effectively creating a Russian Orthodox Church that encompassed modern-day Ukraine and Belarus.
1:21.8	While Putin wants to reunify these countries by force,
1:25.2	not just to bring back a sort of Soviet-style USSR, but because he believes in the spiritual destiny of so-called Holy Rus.
1:32.9	So joining me to discuss this crisis and its religious roots are Father Cyril Hoveron and Clifford Longley.
1:38.6	Father Cyril is an Orthodox priest and scholar from the Ukraine, but currently teaching at St. Ignatius College in Sweden.
1:46.0	Clifford Longley is a Catholic journalist, regular contributor to the tablet, and his recent
1:50.0	articles there have covered the religious background to this conflict. So thank you very much, Cyril,
1:55.4	and Clifford for joining me on the show today. Let's start with you, Cyril, as someone who obviously comes from
	...

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