The Senate Addresses Russia's War on Faith
The Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, has publicly described the invasion as a "holy war" — providing ideological cover for systematic religious suppression across occupied territories.
This is not incidental to Russia's war. It is part of it.
The Legislation
🔴 Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) — Sponsor
🔵 Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) — Co-Sponsor
Together, they introduced S. 4379 — the Countering Russia's War on Faith Act — companion legislation to H.R. 8433 in the House.
The bill requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to jointly report on Russia's efforts to violate the religious freedoms of the Ukrainian people. It further mandates that the President impose all applicable sanctions on foreign persons determined to have engaged in such conduct.
"The Countering Russia's War on Faith Act shines a bright light on Putin's religious persecution and responds with real consequences."
Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) — Sponsor
"Putin's murderous regime has repeatedly bombed places of worship, murdered clergy members, and persecuted Ukrainian communities not aligned with the Putin-allied Russian Orthodox Church. It's time for the U.S. to take a stand."
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) — Co-Sponsor
What the Bill Does
S. 4379 creates a formal accountability mechanism — requiring documented reporting and triggering sanctions against individuals responsible for religious persecution in Ukraine and Russian-occupied territories. It closes a critical gap in existing U.S. policy by making clear that attacks on faith communities carry legal consequences under U.S. law.