H.R. 8433 — Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act

This section states eight congressional findings documenting Russian authorities' violations of religious freedom in occupied Ukrainian territories, including the detention, torture, and disappearance of clergy and believers; destruction or damage to more than 600 religious sites; killing of more than 50 priests, pastors, and religious leaders; forced re-registration, raids, and shuttering of non-Russian Orthodox congregations; repurposing of religious buildings; and theological justification of the invasion by the Russian Orthodox Church.

This section directs the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence, to submit to the appropriate congressional committees—not later than 120 days after enactment and annually thereafter for three years—a report on the Russian government's and affiliates' persecution of Christians, Jews, Muslims (including Crimean Tatars), and other religious minorities not affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. The report must (1) describe relevant persecutory activities; (2) identify destroyed, damaged, seized, or repurposed religious facilities; (3) assess the number of persons persecuted, imprisoned, or displaced; restrictions on religious practices; efforts to compel affiliation with Moscow-based institutions; and the overall impact of Russia's invasion and occupation on religious freedom (including in Crimea and Sevastopol); and (4) list responsible individuals and entities affiliated with Russia or exercising de facto authority in those territories. Not later than 30 days after each report, the President must certify whether there are reasonable grounds to determine that listed persons engaged in specified conduct, imposing sanctions pursuant to specified regulations (i.e., Global Magnitsky, Ukraine-/Russia-related, Russian Harmful Foreign Activities sanctions, or other relevant authorities) upon affirmative certification; the President may subsequently waive or terminate such sanctions if warranted by later reports. The report must be unclassified but may include a classified annex; "appropriate congressional committees" are defined to include the armed services, foreign affairs/relations, and intelligence committees of each chamber.