Hotspot Nations

HOTSPOT: RUSSIA

By Lauren Sedemeester
02/10/2025

Russia is known for its vast size, rich natural resources, and a long, often complex history. Famous the Kremlin and Red Square, writers like Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and achievements in space exploration, its cultural legacy in literature, music, art, and ballet reaches far beyond politics, touching lives across the globe. Once the heart of the Russian Empire and later the Soviet Union, it has long shaped international affairs. Today, its military and political choices—especially in Ukraine—dominate headlines and affect global security, economics, and diplomacy. In the media, Russia is often portrayed as a powerful and sometimes feared. For Christians, this is a reminder to pray for wisdom, justice, and peace, knowing that every nation, like every person, is under God’s sovereign care.

Russia’s Quest to Reclaim Influence in Eastern Europe and Beyond

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia has kept symbols of great-power status: a vast territory, nuclear weapons, and a permanent UN Security Council seat. Yet real influence depends on more than military might. Economic strength, innovation, legitimacy, and cultural reach are vital—areas where Russia faces limits.

The country contributes only about 2% of global GDP and relies on oil and gas exports. After a brief 4.3% recovery in 2024, growth is forecast to drop to 1.5% in 2025 due to high rates, inflation controls, and falling energy revenues. Sanctions since 2014, intensified after the 2022 invasion, have blocked investment, cut technology access, and driven many skilled workers to emigrate. With so much spent on the war, little is left for education or development.

Despite these weaknesses, Russia maintains an active foreign policy, especially in Eastern Europe. The war in Ukraine shows this most clearly. Since its full-scale invasion in 2022, Moscow has tried to seize territory through attacks, pressure, and propaganda. Heavy fighting in Donetsk and attempts to cut supply lines aim not just to gain land but to prove that Russia is still a key power resisting NATO and EU expansion.

Beyond the battlefield, Russia spreads false information in nearby states like Moldova to sway public opinion and pull them closer to Moscow. These actions show Russia’s drive to appear strong, even as its economy, army, and international ties weaken.

Economic Strain

Russia remains a major energy player, earning around €593 million daily from oil and gas in June 2025. Yet the war has disrupted refining, cut diesel exports, and Western sanctions have frozen about $250 billion of assets. Forced to turn towards Asia, it increased trade with China and India, but revenues still fell 20.5% in early 2025.

Ordinary Russians feel the strain most. Pensions are around $150–200 per month, while defence wages rose 30–60%. By 2024, about 1.3 million people had left, many due to economic hardship. This has created a “two-speed” economy: some sectors thrive while most struggle.

An INcontext contact in Russia shared how people show resilience: “Prices have risen, affecting everyday shopping. People need more money to get by, yet they continue making a life, finding solutions, or realising some things are not that important. I remember at some stage we didn’t have white computer paper, so people switched to grey.”

Cultural and Ideological Influence

The Russian Orthodox Church shapes national identity, aligning with the Kremlin’s “Russian World” vision and often justifying political actions, including the war, as defending Orthodox heritage.

Russia also uses media and cyber tools to project influence abroad. State outlets such as RT and Sputnik promote Kremlin narratives, while disinformation campaigns in Moldova challenge pro-European views.

Despite censorship, Russian art and literature remain influential. Tolstoy and Dostoevsky continue to inspire, while contemporary voices—often in exile—resist state narratives and explore Russia’s complex identity.

The Church in Russia: Challenges and Opportunities

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) enjoys state support but makes life difficult for Evangelicals and other Protestants, often viewed as “foreign”. Jehovah’s Witnesses were banned in 2017, while Baptist and others face surveillance, especially in Zaporizhzhia.

Our contact noted that the spiritual climate “is tightly connected” to social tensions, with major events leaving space for only three positions—favour, against, or neutral—yet not all are represented. This, he said, affects churches across the board, depending on their stance.

Yet small Evangelical groups persist, meeting in homes or rented spaces, offering worship and support to the needy. Their resilience reflects a deep spiritual hunger and faith in difficult circumstances. Our contact shared: “One of the big joys is to see Matthew 28:19-20 gaining momentum… now into the regions and even across borders. That is really exciting.” Using Acts-style imagery, he described how the Gospel is spreading—slowly, yet with hope.

Laws such as the Yarovaya amendments restrict religious freedom, banning unapproved preaching and distributing religious materials. Authorities have used these laws to justify raids, detentions, and fines against groups labelled “extremist” or “undesirable”. Still, despite persecution, Evangelicals endure with courage and hope.

Global Impact and Christian Response

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has disrupted food and energy supplies, causing shortages in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. The World Bank warns that these food and fuel shocks could last for years, worsening poverty and hunger. Energy prices have also become more unstable, affecting nations worldwide.

Christians are called to respond with compassion and support for the suffering. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God,” while Hebrews 13:3 urges believers to stand with those in distress. Churches worldwide have mobilised food, medical supplies, and shelter, while advocating peace and supporting the displaced.

Our contact added: “It’s a long road, but I see the Lord working. I hope people outside Russia will keep praying for wisdom for our leaders and courage for the Church.”

In summary, Russia’s actions carry global consequences. The Christian response is to live out peace, compassion, and solidarity, supporting those affected and seeking justice and reconciliation in a turbulent world.

Please join us in prayer:

Pray for Russian leaders to act with integrity, fairness, and discernment, especially in decisions affecting national and international peace.
Pray for reconciliation and protection of civilians across Russia and neighbouring regions.
Ask God to strengthen Christian communities in Russia with courage, faith, and opportunities to minister despite challenges.
Pray for those facing economic hardship and shortages due to Russia’s actions, that they will experience God’s hope and provision.
Pray that the global Church will not forget their brothers and sisters in Russia, but will uphold them in prayer as they continue to be salt and light in the nation.

Sources:

https://acninternational.org/religiousfreedomreport/reports/country/2023/russia

https://apnews.com/article/moldova-election-europe-disinformation-russia-461e9a1c9558ae140c5b7539a5c89fd4

https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-donetsk-kostiantynivka-kramatorsk-6155c773ce5c43ed3a6b6905194d76da

https://cepa.org/article/a-sinister-confessional-russian-church-persecution/

https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/russia-oil-gas-revenue-decline-economic-impact-2025/

https://energyandcleanair.org/june-2025-monthly-analysis-of-russian-fossil-fuel-exports-and-sanctions/

https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/current-members
https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/russia-slashes-2025-economic-growth-forecast-15-25-2025-08-27/

https://thegaze.media/news/why-is-russia-no-longer-a-superpower

https://time.com/6969273/russias-war-against-evangelicals/

https://www.britannica.com/place/Russia

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/02/ukraine-war-anniversary-suffering-church-christian-pastor/