Sourced fact
The News
Mikhail Melekh, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s special representative for international cooperation on freedom of religion, stated that Ukraine’s forced mobilization affects only clergy members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), while representatives of other religious confessions are generally not targeted by military enlistment officers.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
Analytically, this measure may be linked to the role of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukrainian society, as it plays a significant part in national identity and culture. In a broader context, this step could be part of Ukraine's strategies to mobilize the community and reinforce national identity during the current crisis.

