ABSTRACT
Russian annexation of Crimea as a part of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis has had a significant impact on religious life on the peninsula. Crimean religious organizations have lost almost all of the religious freedom and freedom of association that they previously enjoyed in Ukraine. The Russian state has taken strong control over religious activities by interfering with internal religious affairs and adopting ambiguous legal rules that are applied by courts and law enforcement bodies arbitrarily. The author explores how the life of Crimean Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic, and Muslim communities and their relations with the authorities have changed in 2016–2017 against this background. This chapter is based on the author’s field research in Crimea, including sociological interviews with religious leaders, officials, and public intellectuals.
