The United Kingdom Thursday has unveiled sanctions against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, for his support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Today we are targeting the enablers and perpetrators of Putin’s war who have brought untold suffering to Ukraine,” the British government said in a statement.
The measures, which include a travel ban and asset freezes, are the first Western sanctions to target the religious leader.
The Russian Orthodox Church dismissed the sanctions against its leader, saying: "Attempts to intimidate the primate of the Russian Church with something or to force him to renounce his views are senseless, absurd and unpromising."
Patriarch Kirill was excluded from the European Union’s latest package of sanctions last month after Hungarian officials objected to the plan.
The Russian church leader has been widely criticized for his support for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with some rights groups calling for his indictment by the International Criminal Court.
The 75-year-old has been a key supporter of President Vladimir Putin’s rule, blessing Russia’s conflicts abroad and denouncing opposition protests. He has previously labeled Russia’s opponents in Ukraine “evil forces.”
Britain also placed sanctions on Russia’s children’s rights ombudswoman Maria Lvova-Belova for “her alleged involvement in the forced transfer and adoption of Ukrainian children.”
Other individuals to make the sanction list include Moscow politician Sergei Savostyanov, Alexei Isaykin, the president of the Volga-Dnepr Group transport company, and four colonels from the Russian Ground Forces’ 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, who are alleged to be involved in the killing, rape and torture of civilians in northern Ukraine’s Bucha.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
