Lavrov claims war goal is protecting Orthodox

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has framed Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine as a mission to protect Orthodox believers. This claim comes as the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Russian forces in occupied territories are systematically targeting Ukrainian religious institutions. According to the report, Russian forces arbitrarily detain Ukrainian clergy, assassinate religious leaders, and loot and destroy churches. The contrasting narratives highlight the use of religious justification for the invasion amid documented persecution.