In Kazan, a drone operation training session took place on church grounds, which was formally presented as a sporting event, but has an obvious connection with supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine. This event demonstrates how the ROC is actively integrating into the Russian military machine, rejecting its true purpose, spiritual service.
This is reported by Christians Against War.
The “Apostle” school at the bishop’s courtyard of the ROC of the Holy Martyr Kirill of Kazan held an open lecture on UAV operation with the support of the regional Federation of Drone Racing. During the event, participants were shown various models of UAVs, the features of FPV drones, and were allowed to try out special control goggles.
Although the announcement made no mention of the military application of these skills, the context speaks for itself: This same location is actively involved in supporting the Russian occupation forces – the “Sewing Shop for the SMO” is deployed there and donations are collected for soldiers.
This situation vividly illustrates how the ROC has transformed from a religious organization into a logistical center for sustaining the war effort Instead of preaching Christian values of peace and love, church structures contribute to the war.
The use of the name “Apostle” for a school that actually provides military training looks especially cynical. The apostles brought the world the message of peace and salvation from sin, not drones and “help” for the invaders. This demonstrates how far the ROC has strayed from its true mission and evangelical values.
Such activities of the church not only contradict Christian teachings, but also turn sacred places into the infrastructure of war, making the ROC an accomplice in crimes against Ukraine and humanity as a whole.
Systemic militarization of the church
This event is just one link in a long chain of militarization of the ROC. Recently, Patriarch Kirill personally called on military priests to more actively fight “freaks” at the front, complaining about the growth of neo-pagan sentiments among Russian soldiers. At the same time, the same patriarch publicly ridiculed priest Alexei Shlyapin, who dared to remind everyone that “a priest should direct people to the Kingdom of Heaven, and not engage in patriotism.”
Even earlier, Metropolitan Varsonofy of St. Petersburg visited the correctional colony No. 6 “Obukhovo”, where, according to The Wall Street Journal, Ukrainian prisoners of war are brutally tortured. During the visit, the metropolitan presented the institution’s administration with souvenir Easter eggs and thanked them for their “work”, in fact sanctifying the place of torture with his presence.
