Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act

Sanctions and reports on religious persecution

This bill would require the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, with the Director of National Intelligence, to send a joint report to Congress within 120 days and then yearly for three years. The unclassified report would describe Russia-linked persecution or discrimination against Christians, Jews, Muslims (including Crimean Tatars), and other non‑Russian‑Orthodox religious groups in Russian‑occupied Ukrainian territory. It would identify churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious sites that were destroyed, damaged, seized, repurposed, or otherwise appropriated. Reports would include counts of people persecuted, imprisoned, or forcibly displaced and an assessment of restrictions on religious practice and education. Within 30 days after each report, the President would say whether there are reasonable grounds to believe listed people or groups engaged in the described conduct. If the President certifies that finding, the government would impose applicable sanctions under specified Treasury regulations, including blocking property; the President could later waive or end sanctions if later reports show the person no longer meets the criteria.