Vladimir Rytikov, a pastor in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, could be forced to leave his home country for “illegal missionary activity.”
The minister was warned he could be deported if he refuses to leave. Authorities claim Rytikov is “a threat to Russia’s constitutional order and security,” according to Christian Daily International.
Authorities said their decision was based on his leadership of an unregistered Baptist congregation.
Courts have repeatedly fined him under Article 5.26 of Russia’s Administrative Code for conducting “missionary activity.”
Escalating pressure on Baptist pastor
Officials increased pressure earlier in March. On March 9, acting police chief Aleksei Mikhailovsky summoned Rytikov to appear at a police station on March 19 to face charges.
On March 11, three officers went to his home and demanded he come immediately.
When he refused and pointed to the date on the summons, officers seized him and forced him into a car without his identity documents, then prepared a case against him, according to Forum 18.
Russian-controlled Migration Service arrived at Rytikov’s home in Krasnodon (Sorokyne), Luhansk Oblast, on March 21 and ordered him to leave within two weeks, according to Christian Daily International and Forum 18.
Rytikov, who said, “Now, I’m being driven out,” was born in the area he serves and has lived there for 67 years, he told Forum 18. “The Lord saw fit for me to perform a ministry in Krasnodon,” Rytikov added.
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Rytikov and his wife, Lyudmila, still hold a valid residence permit and are choosing to stay home despite pressure by authorities to leave.
Attempts to intimidate Rytikov began in January when police and military officers carried automatic weapons into a worship service he leads through Council of Churches Baptists.
Other tactics to deter Rytikov’s ministry include phone surveillance and monitoring of his communications.
Rytikov was detained and interrogated for “meeting illegally without state registration,” reported Forum 18.
Pressure on religious institutions
Council of Churches Baptists have refused to register with state authorities. Baptist leaders in Russian-occupied Ukraine have faced similar penalties, according to Christian Daily International.
Igor Bandura, deputy vice president of the Ukrainian Baptist Union, said the issue reflects both a long-standing theological stance and broader pressure on churches in occupied territories.
“Pastor Vladimir Rytikov and his congregation belong to the Council of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists—the group that has always considered any state registration of churches to be a matter of principle and even a sin, as it implies submission of the church to the state. This is the key historical and theological difference from the other Baptist unions, which accept registration,” Bandura said.
“Virtually all Protestant, Catholic, and independent Ukrainian churches on the occupied territories—especially in Luhansk region—face systematic harassment, raids, fines, and attempts to force them either to register under Russian control or to cease their activities. This appears to be part of a broader policy aimed at suppressing any religious communities that are not fully loyal to the occupying authorities,” Bandura added.
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