Russian army needs more priests – Church

Orthodox priests have emphasized the role of spiritual guidance in maintaining soldiers’ humanity during combat

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has announced plans to significantly increase the number of military chaplains, to provide more spiritual support to soldiers in the Ukraine conflict zone. Currently, approximately 300 clerics serve in this capacity, but the ROC aims to raise the number to 1,500.

The initiative was highlighted during the 33rd International Christmas Readings, at which Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk emphasized the need for more chaplains to strengthen the moral resilience of military personnel and prevent dehumanization during combat.

”The work of military priests is the main condition for victory in this war,” archpriest Dmitry Vasilenkov, Deputy Chairman of the Synodal Department for Cooperation with the army, stated at the conference, as cited by Kommersant. He added that a praying soldier understands the purpose of the war, and even amid extreme brutality, does not allow himself “to become a beast.”

Archpriest Svyatoslav Churkanov, assistant to the chief military priest in the combat zone for work with the National Guard, noted that while most servicemen are baptized, many are “nominal Christians.” “Facing the actions of the opposing side, many fall into a stupor. Without an internal spiritual foundation, they simply cannot understand what is happening,” he said, emphasizing the need for chaplains to remind soldiers not to emulate the enemy, and to avoid the sinful spirit of vengeance, especially after losing comrades.

Russia has repeatedly accused the Ukrainian army of committing abuses against its soldiers and civilians.

In 2024, a disturbing video circulated on social media showing Ukrainian troops torturing a Russian prisoner of war (POW) who refused to disparage his country and praise Kiev’s military. 

In November 2022, Russia accused Ukrainian forces of executing a group of Russian prisoners, calling it a war crime. A video from the front line in eastern Ukraine, which UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk confirmed as genuine, showed several Russian soldiers surrendering before being killed. Russia’s Defense Ministry described the event as a “deliberate and methodical murder” of over ten immobilized Russian servicemen. The ministry also stated that this was “not the first and not the only war crime” committed by Ukrainian forces.

In 2023, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported evidence of extrajudicial killings of Russian POWs and other mistreatment by Ukrainian troops.

Moscow has also accused Ukrainian forces of targeting civilians. On Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry released a report detailing war crimes committed by the Kiev regime in 2024. According to the report, at least 5,399 civilians suffered from “Ukrainian aggression” last year, with 809 killed, including 51 children – the youngest being a four-month-old girl.

The report further documented attacks on churches, monasteries, and sacred buildings of the Russian Orthodox Church in frontline zones, resulting in casualties among clergy and parishioners.

In November 2024, the Russian army introduced the role of an assistant for work with believers. According to the ROC, this position serves as the commanding officer’s spiritual advisor, accompanying them at the command post, among the troops, or on the front lines.