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Pastor Vladimir Rytikov has lived his entire life in a region of Ukraine that is now occupied by Russian forces. Born in the city of Krasnodon (located in the Luhansk district) during 1959, he grew up in the area as a committed follower of Christ. From the years of 1979 to 1982, which encompasses the era of the former USSR, he was imprisoned because of his faith. Since becoming ordained for ministry in 1995, the Christian leader has faithfully pastored an unregistered church within his home city for more than 30 years.

When Father Kostiantyn Maksimov was taken captive by Russian occupation forces in May 2023, little was known about the whereabouts of the Ukrainian Orthodox priest. In late March 2024, the Russian prosecutor for the Zaporizhzhia Region announced that Father Kostiantyn would be facing espionage charges. (For more details, see this report.)

In May 2023, Father Kostiantyn Maksimov, a priest from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was taken by Russian occupation forces. Several other religious leaders have either been killed, tortured or reported missing after being detained by members of the Russian forces.