authors: Mechyslav Yanauer, Yaroslav Korytskyi
Urgency of the research. Under the conditions of the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation into Ukrainian territory, the religious factor has gained particular significance and has become one of the key risk-generating elements affecting the country’s domestic political situation. The presence of religious organizations suspected of having ties with the aggressor state raises additional concerns regarding national security.
Target setting. There is an urgent need to prevent the possible use of religion as an instrument to undermine national security, in particular through its influence on the socio-political situation in the context of military conflict.
Analysis of recent research and publications. The source base of this study is formed by the Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Religious Organizations’ Activities.”
The research objective. Drawing on the legislative framework in the context of legal mechanisms for protecting national security, this study examines the religious factor of influence, as well as the prevention of the “Russian World” ideology, certain manipulations, and propaganda.
The statement of basic material. The article analyzes the significance of the religious factor in the context of Ukraine's national security during the military aggression by the Russian Federation. Main attention is given to the newly adopted Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Religious Organizations,” which introduces a set of measures to limit the influence of foreign religious structures, such as the Russian Orthodox Church, that could be used to destabilize the internal situation in the country. The methods applied include critical analysis of legislative acts, a systematic approach to studying the interconnections between religious organizations and national security, and content analysis aimed at assessing the propagandistic impact of the “Russian world” ideology. The law serves as an important tool for protecting Ukraine's national interests by allowing the prohibition of religious organizations with ties to the aggressor state and ensuring information security through the prohibition of neocolonial ideology. The implementation of this law will contribute to strengthening Ukraine's spiritual independence, preserving societal stability and unity, and counteracting external influence through religious structures, which is particularly crucial in the context of ongoing aggression.
Conclusions. The Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Religious Organizations’ Activities” is an important step toward strengthening national security amid the Russian Federation’s military aggression. It sets out a range of measures aimed at limiting the influence of foreign religious structures, such as the Russian Orthodox Church, which could be employed as instruments to destabilize the internal situation in Ukraine. These measures include banning the activities of affiliated religious organizations, establishing mechanisms to verify their connections with the aggressor state, and providing for the possibility of applying judicial sanctions.
Keywords: political model of religious relations; national security of Ukraine; legislative regulation of religious organizations; state-confessional relations; legislative changes; “russian world” ideology.
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