Voice of Ukraine

From Jamie Peipon: The picture is not from 1917. It isn’t 1943. This is 2022 in Bakhmut, Ukraine. This is the eastern front of russia’s war in Ukraine. The area around the city of Bakhmut has been attacked regularly by russia for months. There were some reports today that they might have actually broken through some of the Ukrainian defenses south of the city. One of the challenges that Ukraine faces in the information war is to keep things positive. They truly are doing amazingly well. But they also need to be real about struggles so that the West remembers how dire the situation is and how much help is needed. As with all communication, it is always a delicate balance.

Today, everyone has been holding their breath and watching their screens as there have been many reports about an imminent russian missile salvo over the next 24 hours. Some reports are saying it could involve as many as 200 missiles. All russia wants is to break the resolve of Ukrainians. Surely, they would be aiming these missiles at infrastructure systems.

The large amount of missiles is now required if russia actually intends to hit a target. Ukraine’s air defense systems have improved significantly and russia now has to send more missiles in order to saturate the current systems and get something through. It is extremely difficult to know how many missiles they have left, but it sure seems like they’ve got to start running out soon. It is interesting to consider that they seem to be letting their reserves get shockingly low. This is a country that apparently believes that NATO wants to dominate them at every turn and would even love to invade. But they clearly don’t believe that to be true as they let their missile supplies dwindle.

The energy situation is extremely critical. There were reports today that Kyiv had power for much longer than normal. This is a testament to the work of the utility repair teams who are currently working unbelievably long hours and are under threat of further missile strikes wherever they might be working. In the city of Ivano-Frankivsk (where our church team visited this fall) the mayor is saying that blackouts could last for several weeks. Instability is now a way of life.

In other news, there have been new reports about the activities of the newly mobilized soldiers. They are apparently upset with their officers, who are living in relative comfort further from the front lines. In response, these mobilized troops are apparently selling the coordinates of command centers and are reporting back on whether or not Ukraine has hit their targets.

There are still other troubling reports for russia being released. Many volunteer organizations have been working to buy their armed forces like drones and other defensive gear. Those imports have apparently been halted and they are being told that things like this must only go through their Ministry of Defense. This is a strange development considering how underequipped their soldiers have been.

“I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me.
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!”