The Russian military is aiming at priests. For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street with

the point. According to N. Lovett and the Wall Street Journal, dozens of priests from the Orthodox

Church of Ukraine, the country's largest denomination, have been kidnapped or killed since the Russian

invasion began. Some have been tortured, accused of stirring up anti-Russian sentiment. Those allowed

to return to their congregations now bear scars and are missing teeth.

Some never return at all. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church split from Russian Orthodoxy in 2019.

That's the political motivation for Russia to target its clergy. The Russian Church, under Patriarch

Kirill, has supported the war, arguing that it has metaphysical significance. Well, it does, but not in the way he believes.

By targeting Ukrainian believers, Russia is adding to the ranks of those who suffer,

not just for their country, but for Christ.

Brother Ion Bredin, a Russian Orthodox priest who's publicly opposed the invasion,

wrote this in February.

Russian soldiers are killing their brothers and sisters in Christ.

We can't shamefully cover our eyes and call evil good.

May more Russians have that kind of clarity.

I'm John Stone Street.