The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), under the leadership of the Moscow Patriarchate, has evolved into a central instrument of Russian state influence, operating well beyond its religious mandate to advance Kremlin interests abroad. Across Europe and the US, the ROC is recognized for its role in disseminating pro-Kremlin narratives, conducting espionage, and recruiting intelligence assets. No longer limited to pastoral duties or cultural preservation, the Church now operates as a transnational ideological actor whose activities align closely with Russian foreign policy goals. Their global network has a headquarters in NYC and they have been expanding across parts of the US mainly as a result of people converting from other faiths. Young American males have been joining Russian churches promising 'absurd levels of manliness.' Links: BBC.com. US ROCOR Parishes List.

Before the Trumpf junta took power, the USIC was monitoring the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) for the very reasons cited in this OSINT analysis and why Ukraine has been purging itself of nefandous clergymen. Vladimir Putin has already aligned the Republican Party and is now targeting macho young men as part of his influence campaign over the US, aided and abetted by Donald Trump. This is in tandem with the promotion of uber-macho UFC activity by the Trump junta. D/FBI Kashyap Pramod "Kash" Patel wants FBI SAs to undergo routine UFC training, but FBI Defensive Tactics (DT) is an excellent system that does not require this extra-machismo and waste of precious investigative time. Note that on 12 June 2025 USSECSTATE Marco Rubio issued a congratulatory note on Russia National Day and the late Pope Francis had advised Patriarch Kirill not to be 'Putin's altar boy.' Link: state.gov.