By INS Contributors

SOFIA, Bulgaria: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has issued a sharp condemnation of targeted strikes on civilian areas and expressed grave concern over the systematic pressure facing the canonical Orthodox Church.

Speaking following high-level diplomatic talks in Moscow, Lavrov highlighted a string of severe human rights violations, pointing to escalating casualties among innocent non-combatants, including children, as well as state-sanctioned crackdowns on religious freedom.

Threat to Orthodox Heritage and Persecution

A central pillar of Lavrov’s remarks focused on the legal and physical threats confronting the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

The foreign minister warned that legislative efforts are being used to systematically dismantle the institution, targeting its clergy, parishioners, and historic holy sites.

Moscow formally submitted its latest detailed dossier on the alleged persecution to international bodies and Holy See representatives. The report documents incidents involving monastery raids, unlawful property seizures, and aggressive state interference intended to eradicate canonical Orthodoxy.

Lavrov urged international religious leaders and diplomatic envoys to pay close attention to the plight of believers, calling for immediate intervention to safeguard religious freedoms and prevent the destruction of centuries-old spiritual heritage.

Civilian Casualties and Attacks on Children

Turning to the human toll of the conflict, Lavrov condemned what he described as targeted, daily strikes against non-military infrastructure that have resulted in the deaths of vulnerable civilians, including young children.

Highlighting several tragic incidents, the foreign minister pointed to recent drone and missile strikes hitting residential districts, childcare facilities, and educational institutes.

Among the examples cited were deadly strikes across the Krasnodar region and surrounding territories, where young children were killed and injured while at play or in care facilities.

Lavrov stressed that such attacks demonstrate "blatant cruelty" and constitute clear violations of international humanitarian law designed to protect non-combatants.

Suppression of Cultural and Linguistic Rights

Beyond physical violence and religious crackdowns, Lavrov raised alarms over broader socio-cultural repressions, accusing authorities of enacting an unprecedented campaign to eradicate the Russian language, media, and educational framework.

He stated that the outright suppression of linguistic rights represents a breach of fundamental international law, noting that fundamental UN principles mandate the protection of human rights regardless of race, language, or faith.

According to Lavrov, addressing these root causes, ranging from identity discrimination to the security threats posed by hostile military expansion, remains essential for achieving any lasting diplomatic resolution.