Ukraine Lists 155 Kharkiv Religious Communities as Critical Infrastructure

The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience has designated 155 religious communities in the Kharkiv region as critical infrastructure. This designation places these organizations on a national list of legal and religious entities deemed essential for the economy and the survival of the population during the current special period. According to the service, more than 7,000 religious organizations across Ukraine have met the criteria for inclusion in this critical infrastructure list.

Victor Yelensky, the chairman of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, noted that the number of organizations meeting the criteria is smaller than the total number of religious groups in Ukraine. He attributed this discrepancy to the presence of organizations in temporarily occupied territories and incomplete reporting, stating that it remains unclear whether all eligible organizations have been properly documented or identified.

The list for the Kharkiv region includes the Ancient Orthodox Church of Kharkiv and several evangelical and other Christian congregations. Named groups include “Life in Word,” “House of Gospel,” “Regeneration,” “The Life of Hope,” “The Life of Love,” “Evangelist’s Life,” “Field of the Gospel,” “New Generation,” and “The Good News.” The list also includes the Krishna community, the Seven-Day Church of Religion, the Church of Judaism, and the community known as “Bethany.”

Yelensky explained that inclusion in the list requires religious organizations to meet specific criteria related to their function in maintaining the population and economic stability. When an organization is designated as critical, the clergy and personnel associated with it who are employed there become subject to mobilization and reservation measures. These measures are intended to ensure that these individuals are accounted for within the national defense and mobilization systems.

The full list of designated organizations is available on the official website of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience. The designation reflects a broader governmental effort to integrate religious institutions into the framework of national security and civil resilience during wartime. By identifying these communities as critical infrastructure, the state acknowledges their role in sustaining social cohesion and public life under conditions of conflict.

This administrative action highlights the intersection of religious institutions and state governance in times of crisis. The process of designating religious bodies as critical infrastructure underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in how the state manages resources and personnel. As institutions are tasked with supporting the population, the integrity of their operations and the fairness of their inclusion in national systems become matters of public trust and institutional responsibility.

The inclusion of diverse religious communities in this list serves as a reminder of the shared responsibility to uphold justice and care for the vulnerable. In a context where institutions are called to serve the common good, the principles of mercy and accountability guide the expectation that those in positions of trust will act with integrity. The designation of these communities as critical infrastructure reflects a societal recognition that spiritual and civic leadership plays a vital role in preserving the well-being of the people.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Ukrainian)