Day: April 22, 2026

ОБНОВЛЕНО: Окружной суд в Виржинии запретил сертификацию результатов референдума, сочтя его незаконным. Генеральный прокурор штата уже заявил, что подаст апелляцию. В итоге, вероятно, дело будет решено Верховным судом Вирджинии.

— Радио Свобода (@SvobodaRadio) Apr 22, 2026

MORE: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on April 22 at a Russian Orthodox Easter reception that one of Russia’s war goals in Ukraine is to protect the “honor and dignity” of Russian citizens, including their right to use the Russian language and practice the Orthodox faith.

Lavrov claimed that Ukraine has persecuted the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) for over a decade and accused the Ukrainian government of seizing churches and “attacking” UOC MP clergy and parishioners. The UOC MP is not an independent religious organization, but rather the Kremlin-controlled Russian Orthodox Church’s (ROC) subordinate element in Ukraine.

The Kremlin has long used claims about the alleged discrimination of Russian people, the Russian language, and the ROC in Ukraine as a justification for invading Ukraine and for its continued refusal to engage in good-faith peace negotiations. The ROC is notably an element of Russia’s hybrid warfare toolkit, particularly in the Kremlin’s efforts to promote Kremlin narratives and Russian nationalist ideology to sustain and expand Russia’s influence in former Soviet states and justify its war-making initiatives. The ROC has also advocated for the codification of a Russian state ideology premised on the idea that Ukraine should not exist.

Russia has additionally engaged in widespread persecution of religious minorities, including Orthodox believers, in occupied Ukraine as part of its wider campaign aimed at systematically destroying independent Ukrainian national and religious identities.

Russian occupation authorities regularly conduct arbitrary detention and assassinations of Ukrainian clergy or religious leaders and loot, desecrate, and deliberately destroy places of worship.

Lavrov’s April 22 claims demonstrate the Kremlin’s continued commitment to its original war aims and disinterest in negotiations to end the war. However, these claims are undermined by the realities of Russia’s treatment of religious minority communities in occupied areas.Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)NEW: The Kremlin continues to use long-standing false narratives that the Ukrainian government is oppressing religious liberties as a moral justification for its protracted war in Ukraine.

More Key Takeaways
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Academy an honorary title celebrating the organizer of the Soviet campaign of mass arrests and executions.

Ukrainian forces advanced in Sumy Oblast. Russian forces advanced in northern Kharkiv Oblast.

Russia launched 215 drones against Ukraine overnight. (1/2)—  https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/2047075648120750449

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) Apr 22, 2026

USDA and Palantir sign $300 million software purchase agreement  reut.rs/4mLslcf  reut.rs/4mLslcf

— Reuters (@Reuters) Apr 22, 2026

⚡️Spain to send ammunition, 100 armored vehicles to Ukraine.

“This collaboration serves as a testament to our country’s commitment to the defense of democratic values,” Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said during a visit to Kyiv.
kyivindependent.com/spain-to…

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) Apr 22, 2026

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Volvo Cars says demand for new EX60 electric SUV exceeds expectations  reut.rs/4eCQCiK  reut.rs/4eCQCiK

— Reuters (@Reuters) Apr 22, 2026

RFK Jr. apologizes for comments about Black kids he claims he didn’t say
thehill.com/homenews/senate/…

— The Hill (@thehill) Apr 22, 2026