What does Preamble of Russia’s War on Faith Act do?

This bill requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to jointly submit a report on efforts by the Government of the Russian Federation to violate the religious freedoms of the people of Ukraine. The bill mandates the President to impose all applicable sanctions on foreign persons determined to have engaged in efforts to violate religious freedoms in Ukraine.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Russia’s War on Faith Act do?

This bill is formally titled the 'Russia's War on Faith Act'.

What does FINDINGS. of Russia’s War on Faith Act do?

This section outlines findings regarding the Russian Federation's actions in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. It states that Russian authorities have imposed policies restricting freedom of religion and belief, violating international law. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has documented severe religious freedom violations, including detention and torture of clergy. According to Ukrainian authorities and monitoring groups, over 600 religious sites have been damaged or destroyed. More than 50 Ukrainian religious leaders have been killed, and many others have been abducted or detained. Various religious communities, including Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, and Crimean Tatar groups, have faced raids, forced re-registration, and persecution. Religious buildings have been seized and repurposed, and charitable ministries dismantled. The Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill, has publicly framed the invasion in theological terms. These actions are described as a systematic campaign of religious persecution violating fundamental human rights.

What does REPORT ON THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION'S PERSECUTION OF RELIGIOUS of Russia’s War on Faith Act do?

This section requires a report on the Russian Federation's persecution of religious groups in occupied territories of Ukraine. The report, to be submitted jointly by the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Director of National Intelligence, must be submitted within 120 days of enactment and annually for three years. The report must detail Russian government activities involving the persecution, suppression, or discrimination against Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and other religious minorities. The report must identify religious facilities that have been damaged or seized. The report must assess the number of religious minorities subjected to persecution, imprisonment, or displacement, and restrictions on religious practices. The report must also assess efforts to compel religious organizations to affiliate with Moscow-based institutions or suppress religious activity. The report must include a list of individuals and entities affiliated with the Russian Federation responsible for persecution or suppression of religious groups. Within 30 days of the report's submission, the President must certify whether reasonable grounds exist to determine that listed individuals or entities engaged in specific conduct. If the President makes an affirmative certification, sanctions will be imposed under various regulatory authorities, including the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. The President may waive or terminate sanctions if they determine an individual or entity no longer engages in the specified conduct.

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Russia’s War on Faith Act

Last updated: 4/22/2026 · Introduced: 4/22/2026

Author: John Kennedy (R-LA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill mandates a report detailing the Russian Federation's persecution of religious groups in occupied Ukrainian territories, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims, to be submitted annually for three years.
The President must impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities determined to be responsible for violating religious freedoms in Ukraine, based on the findings of the required report.
The bill requires an assessment of damaged or seized religious facilities, the number of religious minorities affected, and efforts to compel religious organizations to affiliate with Moscow-based institutions.

119th Congressin committeeHR. 8433(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

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