Majority of Ukrainians support ban on pro-Russian religious organizations

An absolute majority of 80 percent of Ukrainians support a recently passed law that bans the activities of certain religious organizations associated with Russia in Ukraine, according to a survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS).

The law, aimed at protecting Ukraine’s national and public security, was adopted in September, with a majority of 265 lawmakers voting for it.

“The absolute majority of Ukrainians – 80 percent – support the approval of this law. Sixteen percent don’t support,, and another 4 percent are undecided,” the survey found.

While support for the initiative is slightly higher in the west and center of the country, a majority of Ukrainians in all regions support the adopted law, the sociologists add. 

“Support ranges from 71 percent in the east to 83 percent in the west.”

The religious situation remains notably sensitive in Ukrainian society, says Anton Hrushetskyi, KIIS’s executive director

“At the same time, we see an increased demand for unity. As in society in general, so in the religious sphere, Ukrainians want to see more unity / consolidation (especially around the idea of joint resistance to the Russian aggressor).”