Patriarch Kirill Condemns Belgorod Attack as ‘Terrorist Crime’

Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has condemned the recent attack on Belgorod, Russia, by Ukrainian forces as a “terrorist crime.” In a statement released by the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill said that the attack, which caused damage to residential buildings and injured civilians, was “unjustified” and “cannot be defended by citing military necessity.” The Patriarch expressed hope that authorities in Belgorod would provide necessary support to those affected by the attack, and that the clergy and volunteers of the Belgorod diocese would provide assistance to the grieving and suffering. Kirill also instructed the Synodal Department for Charity of the Moscow Patriarchate to collaborate with regional church structures to promptly provide aid to those in need.