- Category
- Latest news
Zelenskyy Shares Iftar With Muslim Soldiers, Exposing Russia’s War on Religion

On March 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a state Iftar in Kyiv alongside Muslim Ukrainian servicemen, representatives of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, diplomats, and religious leaders.
The gathering, held during Ramadan, took place at the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea.
The event, initiated by Zelenskyy in 2023, has since become an official annual tradition. It was organized by the Presidential Representation in Crimea and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea, with support from Kyiv’s Crimean Tatar community.


Among the attendees were high-ranking Ukrainian officials, including Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Olena Kovalska, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Ukraine’s Permanent Representative for Crimea Olha Kuryshko, and Chief of Defense Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov.
Crimean Tatar leader Mustafa Dzhemilev, Mejlis Chairman Refat Chubarov, and muftis from Ukraine and abroad also participated. Diplomatic representatives from over a dozen countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan, were present.



Zelenskyy emphasized that Ramadan coincided with key diplomatic efforts this year, including a high-level meeting between Ukrainian and US officials, hosted by a Muslim country. He reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to seeking peace while defending its sovereignty.
During the event, the President awarded Ukrainian servicemen for their bravery. Several soldiers received the Hero of Ukraine title with the Golden Star Order , while others were awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky (III degree), the Order of Courage (III degree), and the Medal for Military Service to Ukraine .




The Iftar also featured the “Al-Insan” exhibition, documenting Russia’s destruction of religious heritage in Ukraine. Organizers highlighted that over 600 religious sites have been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks, including mosques in Bakhmut, Mariupol, and Kyiv, as well as the Great Khan Mosque in Bakhchisarai, which was demolished under Russian occupation. The exhibit also focused on the persecution of the Crimean Tatar Muslim community and the destruction of religious sites in occupied territories.