Religious leaders in the UK and Ukraine have issued a fierce condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, branding him the ‘Anti-Christ’ after he described the war in Ukraine as a ‘holy mission’. The incendiary comments were made during Putin's address marking Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
‘Demonic Distortion’ of Christian Teachings
In his speech, Putin framed the invasion as a sacred undertaking, calling Russian soldiers ‘warriors’ acting ‘as if at the Lord's behest’. This messianic language has provoked outrage within Christian communities. Father Myroslav Pushkaruk, Rector at the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish of the Protection of the Holy Mother of God in central London, told The Independent that Putin’s actions were the opposite of Christian love.
‘Trying to do this with power and violence, which is not about love, not about Christian values is more like the Anti-Christ in the Christian world,’ he stated. Father Myroslav, who provides support to military personnel and those on Ukraine's frontlines, accused Russia of a ‘totally misleading’ message that contradicts core teachings.
Widespread Condemnation of ‘Heretical’ Ideology
The backlash extends beyond individual clergy. Last year, the Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church declared Putin’s ‘Russian World’ ideology – used to justify expansion by claiming Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus are part of ‘Holy Russia’ – as heretical. This view was reinforced last month when over 90 church leaders at a conference in Helsinki condemned the same ideology.
In the UK, the Rt Revd Nick Baines, the former Bishop of Leeds, was scathing in his critique. ‘Seen from a Christian perspective, you don’t use unholy means to pursue a holy mission,’ he said. ‘When that unholy means involves slaughtering people, invading their country, and telling lies.’
Experts Warn of Ideological Fuel for War
Academic and religious figures highlight a dangerous pattern in the Kremlin's rhetoric. Father Taras Khomych, a Catholic Priest and senior lecturer at Liverpool Hope University, called Putin’s religious claims a form of ‘idolatry’ and a ‘devilish demonic way of using the word of God.’
He warned that this distorted ideology exalts war and death to lay foundations for territorial claims. With the war entering its fourth year and peace talks ongoing in Paris, Father Taras urged a focus on the root cause. ‘The war of Russian aggression started with the war of ideology… In order to stop the war we need to address this ideology and stop the ideology that fuels the war,’ he concluded.
