Ukraine: Persecution of Christians by Russian forces

According to a report published by the Christian Today news agency, many evangelical churches in parts of Ukraine controlled by Russian separatists have been forcibly evicted, and some who have already left the region are not allowed to return.
 
This report indicates that church buildings have been confiscated and evangelical Christians have been banned from holding weekly services.
 
It is also stated in this report that the armed men inspected the churches in these areas, confiscated the equipment, and while forcing the church members out of the churches, they asked the church authorities to re-register the church.
 
Voice of Martyrs organization stated in its report that in Manhush, 30 km from Mariupol city, Russian soldiers kicked out Christians from their prayer hall and rehabilitation centers of their church.
 
A church leader believes that in the Russian-occupied territories, the Russian authorities have put pressure on churches that have Ukrainian licenses and registration numbers.
 
Since 2014, when Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk declared independence, they have required Protestant churches to register with the authorities of the self-governing provinces. A church leader notes that they consider Protestantism to be associated with the United States and have ordered that only the Russian Orthodox Church has the right to operate in Russian-controlled areas.
 
Real freedom for Christians in Ukraine began after the collapse of the Soviet Union more than 30 years ago. Some Christians left the country, fearing that the window of freedom would be short-lived, but others believed that Russia would return and try to reestablish its empire. The evidence suggests that they were right.

_{Source: CT}