Russian-linked church faces potential ban in Ukraine as it remains reluctant to officially cut ties with Moscow

Three and a half years into Russia's full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian branch of the Russian Orthodox Church is finally facing its judgment day. Under a law passed in 2024, the branch — Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate — is supposed to either sever its ties with Russia or be banned. None had happened so far. Due to the invasion, the church has faced an escalating crisis due to its affiliation with Russia and some of its priests' collaboration with the Russian authorities. Th