In occupied Henichesk, priests of Moscow Patriarchate bless Russians for war against Ukraine

The editorial office of Rayon.Henichesk learned about this from local residents and from occupation news sources.

During the event attended by representatives of Russian law enforcement agencies, prayers were offered for the “servants” and their families. Priest Alexander Palaznik presented a flag featuring the image of the Savior to the occupation authorities, describing it as a symbol of spiritual support for the Russian military. This suggests that under the guise of religious rituals, the occupation administration is effectively legitimizing the actions of military personnel and promoting war as a “sacred mission.”

The report indicates that Russians regularly organize such events in the occupied territories, aiming to use the Moscow Patriarchate Church to strengthen control over the local population and disseminate the Kremlin's narratives about a “war for faith.” In Henichesk, these actions have become further evidence of how religion is being manipulated as part of the occupation machine and used as a tool of moral pressure on residents.