“BE CLOSE!”: SERVICE OF MILITARY CHAPLAINS DURING THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR (2014-2022)

Abstract

The armed aggression of the Russian Federation, which began in 2014, drew the
attention of society and religious institutions to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and revealed
problems in the establishing and developing the institution of military chaplaincy. This
study aims to assess the basics of spirituality and practice, mission and functions of chaplaincy
in the Russian-Ukrainian war. It was found that according to their main credo “Be
close!”, military chaplains have become an integral part of the military teams providing
spiritual and moral support for military personnel. The activity of military chaplains extends
far beyond direct service in military units in the combat zone or their deployment in
Ukraine. Military chaplains became volunteers who 1) coordinate and deliver humanitarian
aid to the military and civilians, 2) maintain contacts with the families of servicemen,
wounded and demobilized soldiers, 3) initiate the creation of special programs of spiritual
renewal at monasteries, rehabilitation courses at church communities, social events, etc.
The chaplains have shown the readiness to resist the challenges of a new phase of largescale
military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation since February 2022. There
are no analogies in contemporary history of creating an institute of military chaplaincy
under such conditions that makes the current experience of Ukrainian chaplaincy unique.