Appeal of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations to the people of Ukraine and State Authorities
In recent days, Ukrainian society has been shaken by news of a large-scale corruption scandal. State anti-corruption bodies have uncovered a number of schemes of illicit enrichment in which, according to the investigation, high-ranking officials and individuals close to them were involved. More and more details continue to appear in the public domain. Yet even what we already see and hear cannot help but provoke a strong emotional reaction and indignation.
This case has caused wide resonance both in Ukraine and among international partners, as it involves significant financial and reputational losses at an extremely critical moment of confronting Russian aggression.
In a time of a liberation, anti-colonial war, when our people are giving all their strength to defeat the aggressor, unprecedented manifestations of corruption are not only evidence of profound moral decline but also a betrayal—committed by those guilty of these crimes—of public and state trust. Corruption is always especially dangerous at the highest levels of power and in key areas that ensure the state’s defense capacity—and this is all the more true today. Such actions in effect aid the aggressor because they undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and cause demoralization.
We, representatives of Ukraine’s religious communities, receive with deep pain the reports about this corruption scandal as well as those that occurred earlier. At a time when our soldiers shed their blood for freedom, corrupt abuse of power or influence becomes not only a criminal offense but is also perceived as an affront to the heroism of our defenders and to the sacrifice of the entire nation.
We call on the relevant investigative and law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, as well as the President of Ukraine, the Government, the Verkhovna Rada, and all other competent institutions to ensure a just investigation into the allegations of corruption crimes. Fair punishment for the guilty must be inevitable, regardless of their official position or previous connections. Only a resolute, honest, and responsible response—from both state bodies and officials, as well as from society as a whole—can help heal the wound that has been inflicted, restore trust, and show that the state defends truth and justice and is capable of resisting not only external aggression but also internal destructive challenges.
We emphasize: corruption is a sin, and during wartime it is not merely a violation of state laws but also a moral crime against our defenders and our entire people. It undermines social unity and demoralizes—things our enemies exploit. Therefore, the fight against corruption today is part of our shared struggle for independence, part of our resistance to Russian aggression.
Understanding these challenges, we call on Ukrainian society to remain emotionally balanced and steadfast. A people whose best sons and daughters shed their blood, die on the battlefield, suffer in captivity, and give their last savings to support the Armed Forces have every right to be outraged. Yet this righteous indignation must be channeled into a constructive path—toward eradicating corruption in all its forms, including those found in our daily lives. At the same time, we caution that political confrontation and internal quarrels only weaken us and serve the aggressor’s interests. Our determination in this struggle must not cross the boundaries of state law, let alone undermine statehood itself.
We appeal to all citizens: let us not allow corruption to divide us or distract us from our main goal—the preservation of our state, its independence, and the achievement of victory over the enemy. Unity, mutual support, and a shared fight against evil are what save Ukraine today. Each person, in their place, must be honest, responsible, and ready to serve the truth, continuing their spiritual endeavor of resisting both the external aggressor and internal corruption.
The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with our defenders, and its solidarity with all who faithfully and conscientiously carry out the public service entrusted to them by the people. We pray for victory and call on the authorities and society for continued, united, and decisive opposition to corruption as one of the greatest threats facing our state today. Only the establishment of truth and justice can become a solid foundation for the future of Ukraine, which we are fighting for together.
Kyiv, November 16, 2025
