Over 750 civilians left the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region, reaching Ukrainian-held territory after a temporary ceasefire. The evacuation, supported by Pope Leo XIV and U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, involved transport through Russia and Belarus. Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets coordinated the mission, which also delivered aid to those remaining. Families reunited at the border, though the war continues elsewhere with recent strikes causing power outages. The operation raises hopes for similar humanitarian arrangements in other frontline communities.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇧🇪 Belgium·
A canister containing gasoline and fireworks was discovered near a church in Antwerp, Belgium, which serves Belarusian Greek Catholics. The incident occurred on Sunday, prompting police to close the street and cancel the Lithurgy conducted in Belarusian. Father Ivan Maisiechyk announced the cancellation on Facebook following reports of a possible bomb threat. Authorities detained a suspect and confiscated a vehicle linked to the event. Investigators are currently examining the individual's involvement. The parish has historically supported Ukraine and hosted exhibitions honoring Belarusian cultural figures.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇧🇾 Belarus·
A court in Belarus has officially liquidated Greek Catholic and Baptist religious communities, according to updated data from the Unified State Register cited by the outlet 7x70. The Greek Catholic group in Orsha previously lacked its own church and held services in a local Roman Catholic cathedral. In contrast, the Baptist congregation possessed its own building and engaged in active preaching activities. This legal action removes their official status within the country.
Residents evacuated from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky have arrived in Ukraine after a difficult 19-hour trip. They crossed the border into the Chernihiv region, where they were greeted by family, medical staff, and humanitarian organizations. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the United States, First Lady Melania Trump, and Ukrainian officials for their roles in the operation. The Pan-Ukrainian Council of Churches welcomed the mission as a hopeful humanitarian effort. The Vatican also expressed interest, with Pope Leo XIV speaking with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders. Approximately 2,000 people remain in Oleshky without food or escape routes.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇧🇾 Belarus·
According to RISU, the Religious Information Service of Ukraine, funds were collected for Russian occupying forces during the Pokrov Festival in Minsk, Belarus. The outlet Хрысціянская візія reported that while the monastery's official program focused on biblical themes and activities for mothers, a stand from the Holy Trinity Monastery in Serbia was present. This stand displayed Russian and Serbian flags alongside slogans linking Russia to faith. This follows a similar incident in December 2022, where aid for Russian soldiers was gathered at the same event and in other cities like Vitebsk. The monastery's official resources did not announce these collections.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇧🇾 Belarus·
Father Leontiy Tumovsky was inaugurated as the new Apostolic Administrator for Greek Catholics in Belarus, according to RISU. The ceremony included Archbishop Yusef Stanevsky, former administrator Archimandrite Sergei Gaiak, and Apostolic Nuncio Ignazio Ceffalia. This leadership change occurs during a difficult period for the community, which lost 25% of its registered parishes following government re-registration efforts. The article attributes these losses to the repressive policies of the Lukashenko regime against religious groups deemed undesirable by the authorities. Tumovsky, born in Polotsk, holds a doctorate in theology from Rome and has served in Poland since 2022.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
According to RISU, a Russian Orthodox metropolitan recently argued that Ukrainians and Belarusians should not possess independent national states. Speaking at an event covered by the outlet 'Christians Against War', the cleric criticized the concept of separate national identities, referring to them as distinct 'apartments'. He stated that resistance against hostile forces must prioritize divine will and the preservation of societal unity. The remarks emphasize a vision of historical Rus' that rejects national division in favor of spiritual cohesion and love among the people.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇧🇾 Belarus·
According to RISU, pro-Russian nuns from Belarus continue to travel through Western Europe to sell goods produced by their monastery. A recent report from the outlet Хрысціянская візія states that sisters visited France and Switzerland to market their products. The funds raised are typically directed toward supporting the war against Ukraine. The outlet described their travels as heroic. These nuns from the Holy Elizabeth Monastery have faced repeated rejections from churches across Europe. They were expelled from Ireland and Poland in 2024, Italy and Norway in 2025, and Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands in 2026 due to the controversial nature of their fundraising.
Amnesty International reports that Belarusian authorities are intensifying a campaign against the European Humanities University (EHU) in Vilnius, Lithuania. Marie Struthers states that officials are now targeting students abroad, their relatives, and associates within Belarus. Between June 2 and 4, 2026, security forces conducted over 60 searches and interrogations. The Belarusian Human Rights Centre Viasna identified at least 175 affected individuals. Authorities have designated the EHU as an extremist organization and are using threats of criminal prosecution to pressure families to force students to withdraw or return home. This expansion aims to suppress dissent beyond national borders.
Over 750 civilians left the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region, reaching Ukrainian-held territory after a temporary ceasefire. The evacuation, supported by Pope Leo XIV and U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, involved transport through Russia and Belarus. Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets coordinated the mission, which also delivered aid to those remaining. Families reunited at the border, though the war continues elsewhere with recent strikes causing power outages. The operation raises hopes for similar humanitarian arrangements in other frontline communities.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Representatives of Caritas Ukraine greeted residents evacuated from Oleshky at the border with Belarus. According to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's information department, Caritas specialists worked with the Office of the Ukrainian Ombudsman over the past week to assess needs and arrange departures to government-controlled territory. At the border, a warm tent provided SIM cards, food, internet, and psychological support. The organization also arranged transport for relatives meeting the evacuees. Upon arrival in Ukraine, individuals were taken to a hospital, where Caritas will continue to assist with their adaptation.
Residents evacuated from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky have arrived in Ukraine after a difficult 19-hour trip. They crossed the border into the Chernihiv region, where they were greeted by family, medical staff, and humanitarian organizations. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the United States, First Lady Melania Trump, and Ukrainian officials for their roles in the operation. The Pan-Ukrainian Council of Churches welcomed the mission as a hopeful humanitarian effort. The Vatican also expressed interest, with Pope Leo XIV speaking with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders. Approximately 2,000 people remain in Oleshky without food or escape routes.
Hundreds of civilians evacuated from the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky returned to Ukraine-controlled territory on Saturday. The operation followed a ceasefire brokered by First Lady Melania Trump and supported by Pope Leo XIV. Ukrainian officials, including Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, facilitated the transfer through Belarus. The evacuees had endured severe malnutrition and lack of medical supplies for over a year. President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Trump for her mediation efforts. The group includes families separated for years, with some individuals having lost significant weight due to starvation. Medical staff are now treating the returnees for health complications resulting from prolonged hardship.
Young students from Belarus and Poland, including Stanisław Rutkowski and Swietłana Krupenchyk, describe how a scholarship foundation in Lublin has changed their lives. Although they never met Pope John Paul II, the program inspired by his legacy provides academic support and a spiritual community. Participants like Katarzyna Danko and Roman Marian Vovk highlight the value of shared living, choir activities, and recent experiences in Rome. The foundation offers not only education but also emotional support and connections with benefactors who share similar migration experiences. According to the students, the initiative fosters personal growth and a sense of family among young people from different countries.
The Slavic Gospel Association supported a week-long Summer Bible Camp in Belarus, gathering 157 teenagers from roughly 50 small churches. Led by 40 musician-educators, the program combined music theory, instrument training, and Bible lessons to prepare students for worship ministry. Pastor Leonid, who oversees the event, stated the goal is spiritual formation and glorifying God through service. Participants performed in a local church service, with some showing renewed commitment to faith and service. The camp aimed to support congregations lacking resources by developing the next generation of music ministers.
A missionary pastor in Belarus, supported by the Slavic Gospel Association, describes ongoing evangelistic work in rural villages. The ministry includes training conferences, home visits, and support for Roma attendees. The pastor highlights the rehabilitation of Vitaly, a father who overcame alcoholism and now attends church regularly after intervention by child protection services. The family, including his wife Inna and children, is receiving food packages and spiritual guidance. The report notes increased participation in Sunday school and community outreach efforts aimed at stabilizing vulnerable families in the region.
In Belarus, a family supports the Slavic Gospel Association’s Orphans Reborn ministry by caring for abandoned children. Sergei, a minister in the country, shares how his family adopted Vasilisa and Dasha from local orphanages. Vasilisa, who had cerebral palsy and was told she would never speak, has regained mobility and communication skills. Dasha, who initially withdrew emotionally, now shows joy and academic progress. The family attributes these changes to prayer and consistent love, highlighting the ministry's impact on vulnerable youth in the region.
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