Perspectief 2019-44

2019-44 Thema - Oekraïne – katalysator van kerkelijke en politieke spanningen Prof. dr. Cyril Hovorun 109 In contrast to the adherents of the Russian world, Ukrainian churches unanimously con- demned the terrorist activity, which led to the crash of MH17. 18 The secretary of the Synod of the Greek Catholic Church Bishop Bohdan Dzyurakh came to the Dutch Embassy in Kyiv and prayed there for those who died in the crash. Metropolitan Onufriy, who later was elected the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, found nice words to express his grief about the victims of the catastrophe: This is a terrible event. Victims were innocent people, women and children from different countries. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church condemns the forces that have perpetrated this crime and reminds us that no one will escape the judgment of God. The fullness of our Church is praying with sympathy for the families of the dead. May the Creator and Supporter of the world console the hearts and strengthen relatives and the loved ones of those who died in this terrible catastro- phe. 19 The Patriarch of Kyiv Filaret made a strong statement, which condemned the Russian in- volvement in the downing of the plane: Apart from the direct perpetrators of the crime, moral responsibility for it lies with those who have planned, unleashed, and supported military aggression against Ukraine, leading an undeclared, but brutal and bloody war against our state <…> Such actions are a crime under human law and a terrible sin before God. The Kyivan Patriarchate once again calls on Russia’s authorities to reconsider and stop the criminal aggression against Ukraine. 20 11. Propaganda war The MH17 tragedy became a result of the Russian hybrid war against Ukraine. The Rus- sians, however, tried to weaponize it as a part of the same hybrid war in order to further attack Ukraine. By this episode, they wanted to enhance their anti-Ukrainian defamation campaign. It has become a usual feature of their hybrid war, to blame others of what they have done themselves. The purpose of the defamation campaign continued to be the jus- tification of war among the Russian population. The people of Russia were thus encouraged to unify around their president by shared hatred to the Ukrainians.