Russia Religion Watch
@russreligionwatch.bsky.social
Religion, ideology, & empire in Russia & Ukraine. Analytical, anti-authoritarian, & focused on Orthodox institutions as political actors. No Kremlin propaganda. https://substack.com/@russiareligionwatch
Russia is now fighting "Satanism". But instead of cults, they're arresting cosplayers, musicians, and meme-posters. A new investigation by @verstka_media reveals how the state’s latest "extremist" ban is hitting random citizens.
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December 5, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Russia is now fighting "Satanism". But instead of cults, they're arresting cosplayers, musicians, and meme-posters. A new investigation by @verstka_media reveals how the state’s latest "extremist" ban is hitting random citizens.
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The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has moved from "religious institution" to "total mobilization." The ROC is building a sovereign Orthodoxy isolated from the West.
Here is my report on the crystallization of the Third Rome:
Here is my report on the crystallization of the Third Rome:
The Third Rome’s Lonely Empire
The Biopolitics of Total Mobilization
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:28 AM
The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has moved from "religious institution" to "total mobilization." The ROC is building a sovereign Orthodoxy isolated from the West.
Here is my report on the crystallization of the Third Rome:
Here is my report on the crystallization of the Third Rome:
Reposted by Russia Religion Watch
Russia's own inspectors found Crimea's main children's hospital lacks basic life-support equipment for newborns—breathing bags, cardiac monitors. Infant mortality rose 9% last year while occupation funds went to the war economy
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/30/c...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/30/c...
Crimea’s main children’s hospital lacks breathing bags and monitors as infant deaths rise 9%
A Russian health inspection found Crimea's main children's hospital lacks breathing bags, cardiac monitors, and basic resuscitation equipment—shortages that accumulated over years as infant mortality…
euromaidanpress.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Russia's own inspectors found Crimea's main children's hospital lacks basic life-support equipment for newborns—breathing bags, cardiac monitors. Infant mortality rose 9% last year while occupation funds went to the war economy
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/30/c...
euromaidanpress.com/2025/11/30/c...
Reposted by Russia Religion Watch
Among other things, the (nebulous but clearly unconstitutional) attack on naturalized US citizens contained in this screed is a significant escalation.
Trump: “I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries … denaturalize migrants who undermine domestic tranquility, and deport any Foreign National who is a public charge, security risk, or non-compatible with Western Civilization.“
November 28, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Among other things, the (nebulous but clearly unconstitutional) attack on naturalized US citizens contained in this screed is a significant escalation.
Reposted by Russia Religion Watch
Young members of Ukraine’s national judo team attended Pope Leo XIVs general audience on 26 November 2025.
Recently arrived in Rome with support from the Italian Police Sports Club and the Olympic Dreams project.
Photo: Vatican News FB
Recently arrived in Rome with support from the Italian Police Sports Club and the Olympic Dreams project.
Photo: Vatican News FB
November 28, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Young members of Ukraine’s national judo team attended Pope Leo XIVs general audience on 26 November 2025.
Recently arrived in Rome with support from the Italian Police Sports Club and the Olympic Dreams project.
Photo: Vatican News FB
Recently arrived in Rome with support from the Italian Police Sports Club and the Olympic Dreams project.
Photo: Vatican News FB
Reposted by Russia Religion Watch
At least half of Russia’s regions have faced mobile internet shutdowns every day in November.
A woman from Kazan described the frequent experience of “entering anything from a hookah lounge to a hospital” to find a Wi-Fi connection while out in the city.
A woman from Kazan described the frequent experience of “entering anything from a hookah lounge to a hospital” to find a Wi-Fi connection while out in the city.
Regions Calling: Life With No Internet Is the New Normal - The Moscow Times
Welcome to Regions Calling, your guide to developments beyond the Russian capital from The Moscow Times.
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:07 AM
At least half of Russia’s regions have faced mobile internet shutdowns every day in November.
A woman from Kazan described the frequent experience of “entering anything from a hookah lounge to a hospital” to find a Wi-Fi connection while out in the city.
A woman from Kazan described the frequent experience of “entering anything from a hookah lounge to a hospital” to find a Wi-Fi connection while out in the city.
Reposted by Russia Religion Watch
At some point Europe will need to realize that Russia is at war.
November 28, 2025 at 12:22 PM
At some point Europe will need to realize that Russia is at war.
Reposted by Russia Religion Watch
$100 for torching a van; more for planting a bomb or snapping a photo of a strategic location: Russian intelligence services have found a new, cheap, and effective way to conduct sabotage operations across Europe. They are recruiting Ukrainian children and teens online.
Russian spy network exploits Ukrainian teenagers in Europe
One hundred dollars for torching a van, a few hundred more for planting a bomb or quick cash for snapping a photo of a strategic location: Russian intelligence services have found a new, cheap – and…
www.france24.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:17 AM
$100 for torching a van; more for planting a bomb or snapping a photo of a strategic location: Russian intelligence services have found a new, cheap, and effective way to conduct sabotage operations across Europe. They are recruiting Ukrainian children and teens online.
Reposted by Russia Religion Watch
In his 2nd term, Trump has surrounded himself with individuals like Witkoff, Musk, Vance, and Gabbard who share his positive view of Russia, his negative view of Ukraine, and/or his hostility to Europe. This seems unlikely to be an accident.
November 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM
In his 2nd term, Trump has surrounded himself with individuals like Witkoff, Musk, Vance, and Gabbard who share his positive view of Russia, his negative view of Ukraine, and/or his hostility to Europe. This seems unlikely to be an accident.
Nov 16-20, 2025 marked the final crystallization of the New Symphonia between the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Kremlin. From DC lobbyists to the trenches of Donetsk, here is how the Russian Orthodox Church has fully integrated into the state's hybrid war machine.
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November 26, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Nov 16-20, 2025 marked the final crystallization of the New Symphonia between the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Kremlin. From DC lobbyists to the trenches of Donetsk, here is how the Russian Orthodox Church has fully integrated into the state's hybrid war machine.
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New head of Russian Orthodox Church in Western Europe supports Putin's stance on war:
New head of Russian Orthodox Church in Western Europe supports Putin's stance on war - RISU
Metropolitan Mark Golovkov of Ryazan and Mikhailov, who is now also in charge of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Western Europe, the Korsun, Spanish-Portuguese dioceses, and parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in Italy, supports the Russian authorities' unwillingness to cease the war against Ukraine. - RISU
risu.ua
November 14, 2025 at 12:16 AM
New head of Russian Orthodox Church in Western Europe supports Putin's stance on war:
Lavrov reiterates the narrative about the 'persecution of the canonical UOC-MP':
Lavrov reiterates the narrative about the 'persecution of the canonical UOC-MP' - RISU
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the so-called “demilitarization” and “denazification” of Ukraine are mandatory conditions for ending the war initiated by the Russian Federation. - RISU
risu.ua
November 13, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Lavrov reiterates the narrative about the 'persecution of the canonical UOC-MP':
Analysis of the week's events concerning the Russian Orthodox Church demonstrates its complete functional integration into Kremlin political, military, and foreign policy structures.
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November 13, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Analysis of the week's events concerning the Russian Orthodox Church demonstrates its complete functional integration into Kremlin political, military, and foreign policy structures.
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Exiled Russian Orthodox journalist @KseniaLuchenko facing criminal charges added to Wanted List:
RUSSIA: Exiled Orthodox journalist facing criminal charges added to Wanted List
Russia's Interior Ministry Wanted List includes: 4 opponents of Russia's war against Ukraine on religious grounds; 7 Muslim Nursi readers from Russia; 15 Jehovah's Witnesses from Russia, 4 from Russian-occupied Crimea; 4 people wanted by Belarus; 3 wanted by Kazakhstan; 2 wanted by Tajikistan; 5 wanted by Uzbekistan. Most recently added was exiled Orthodox journalist Kseniya Luchenko. The Interior Ministry did not say why it includes people who peacefully exercised their right to freedom of religion or belief. Interpol would not say for how many of them Russia had sought Red Notices.
www.forum18.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Exiled Russian Orthodox journalist @KseniaLuchenko facing criminal charges added to Wanted List:
Reposted by Russia Religion Watch
As always, selective enforcement will shape the contours of this political terror, but the FSB's capacity to arrest people within hours of "illegal Internet searches" is, quite frankly, breathtaking.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
A Russian medical student read about Ukraine’s Azov Regiment while riding the bus. Within hours, federal agents arrested him for an ‘illegal Internet search.’ — Meduza
One fine day in late September, a medical student named Sergey was riding the bus to work in Kamensk-Uralsky, browsing the Internet on his phone. He came across some photos showing the insignia of Ukr...
meduza.io
November 6, 2025 at 11:31 PM
As always, selective enforcement will shape the contours of this political terror, but the FSB's capacity to arrest people within hours of "illegal Internet searches" is, quite frankly, breathtaking.
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Miraculous Icon Draws Hundreds to Jordanville:
Miraculous Icon Draws Hundreds to Jordanville
An icon with a storied past of centuries of miracles and survivals made its way to Jordanville and to Utica this week.
www.wktv.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Miraculous Icon Draws Hundreds to Jordanville:
In Photos: Muscovites Celebrate Halloween in Defiance of Officials:
In Photos: Muscovites Celebrate Halloween in Defiance of Officials - The Moscow Times
Gallery |
www.themoscowtimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:14 PM
In Photos: Muscovites Celebrate Halloween in Defiance of Officials:
The Russian Orthodox Church is militarizing the occupied territories of Ukraine, providing military units of the Russian Federation:
The Russian Orthodox Church is militarizing the occupied territories of Ukraine, providing military units of the Russian Federation | УНН
УНН Society ✎ The Russian Orthodox Church is officially participating in the militarization of the occupied territories of Ukraine, having
handed over a motorcycle …
unn.ua
November 4, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The Russian Orthodox Church is militarizing the occupied territories of Ukraine, providing military units of the Russian Federation:
Georgian Orthodox Church demotes priest critical of government:
Georgian Orthodox Church demotes priest critical of government
Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili frequently appeared at anti-government protests and in the media.
oc-media.org
November 1, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Georgian Orthodox Church demotes priest critical of government:
Belarus launches school project blending religion, patriotism and Soviet nostalgia:
Belarus launches school project blending religion, patriotism and Soviet nostalgia
A resource center for spiritual, moral and patriotic education of schoolchildren has opened at the Kadzin Secondary School in the Mahiliou district. The initiative was created jointly by local...
en.belsat.eu
October 31, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Belarus launches school project blending religion, patriotism and Soviet nostalgia:
How the Russian Orthodox Church Became a Weapon of Political Warfare: www.fpri.org/article... @FPRI
How the Russian Orthodox Church Became a Weapon of Political Warfare - Foreign Policy Research Institute
The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has become a central pillar of the Kremlin’s political and informational warfare strategy, which shapes narratives by fusing
www.fpri.org
October 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
How the Russian Orthodox Church Became a Weapon of Political Warfare: www.fpri.org/article... @FPRI
Reposted by Russia Religion Watch
Oct. 30 is the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions, a holiday dedicated to victims of Soviet repressions.
Today, we share some of our coverage of Russia's present-day political prisoners:
Today, we share some of our coverage of Russia's present-day political prisoners:
A Letter to Those Who Can Save Political Prisoners in Russia - The Moscow Times
Opinion | Today, on the eve of the anniversary of our release on August 1, when I, along with other Russian political prisoners and foreign nationals, was freed from prison, I want to say THANK YOU!
www.themoscowtimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Oct. 30 is the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions, a holiday dedicated to victims of Soviet repressions.
Today, we share some of our coverage of Russia's present-day political prisoners:
Today, we share some of our coverage of Russia's present-day political prisoners:
On October 22-23, 2025, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, the chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations (effectively the ROC's chief diplomat), visited Jerusalem.
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October 28, 2025 at 12:48 AM
On October 22-23, 2025, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, the chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations (effectively the ROC's chief diplomat), visited Jerusalem.
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A Russian monk who had been residing at the St. Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, often known as the "Russian Monastery", was detained at Thessaloniki's airport for overstaying his visa by three years.
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October 27, 2025 at 8:28 PM
A Russian monk who had been residing at the St. Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, often known as the "Russian Monastery", was detained at Thessaloniki's airport for overstaying his visa by three years.
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Russia's migration policy has been transforming since 2024. It's pivoted from managing economic/demographic needs to a state-building project centered on a specific, religiously-defined identity.
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October 27, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Russia's migration policy has been transforming since 2024. It's pivoted from managing economic/demographic needs to a state-building project centered on a specific, religiously-defined identity.
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