Making Sense of the Role of Religion in Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is now over two years old, and the human toll is staggering: over 14.6 million Ukrainians are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Russia’s list of grievances used to justify its brutal invasion includes an accusation that Ukraine has persecuted the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. How does religion figure into the war?

Nicholas Denysenko of Valparaiso University explains how a simmering conflict among Orthodox Christians in Ukraine contributed to Putin’s decision to bomb and invade Ukraine.

About the Lecture:
This lecture is the 15th Annual Distinguished Speaker of the Department of Global Humanities and Religions.

Additional support has been provided by the Institute for Global Engagement, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Fairhaven College, History Department, Political Science Department, Ray Wolpow Institute, and The Foundation for WWU & Alumni.