WCC news: WCC denounces deadly cycle of violence in Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay denounced the deadly cycle of violence in the context of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.  Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 2 June 2026 In the early hours of 2 June, Russian forces launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Kyiv and other cities in Ukraine, reportedly killing some 18 people and injuring more than 100.  This follows two other deadly attacks on Kyiv last month in which 24 people were killed, and Russian reports of a Ukrainian drone strike on a college dormitory in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine, reportedly killing 21 students.  “We call for an immediate end to this war, to stop the death and destruction,” said Pillay. “We urge all WCC member churches and all people of good will to pray and act for peace – a lasting peace in the region and throughout the world, based on respect for international law and for fundamental moral precepts.” Read the full statement WCC invites global fellowship to pray for peace in Ukraine (WCC news release, 22 May 2026) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland