Voice of Ukraine

Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 360):

Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.
Psalm 60:11‭-‬12

Nine years ago, February 18, 2014, was Tuesday, a lovely sunny day with a breath of spring in the air. I returned from my “future mothers” class, made myself a cup of tea, and came to the window to enjoy the beautiful scenery – our rented apartment had a fantastic view of the skyline of the right bank of Kyiv. Instead of the peaceful panorama, I saw black smoke rising from the downtown area and rushed to check the news. The Revolution of Dignity entered its darkest stage. A peaceful demonstration (about 50,000 people) marched from the fortified Maidan (Independence Square) to the Parliament building to support opposition demands for a new constitution and government but was met with special police units, stun grenades, and guns. Snipers were involved. The Metro was stopped. People were leaving work early to join in the fight. Over the next two days, over 100 people would be killed in this massacre. We’ll call them “The Heavenly Hundred” (since the resistance forces at Maidan were divided into hundreds/centurions).

It was one of those times when you know that everything hangs in the balance. The circumstances looked hopeless. Our small group met for a prayer meeting at our place, and it reminded me of the disciples of Jesus meeting in the upper room after the crucifixion. We earnestly prayed, not knowing if our prayers would be answered. In a few days (which seem to have lasted a lifetime), we were amazed by the outcome – then-president Yanukovych fled the country, and his parliament representatives gave up and accepted the demands of the protesters. Justice was being restored. We were mourning the losses and trying to make plans for the future, all the while Russia was initiating its occupation of Crimea.

February 2022 bore a strong resemblance to February 2014. Someone said that February is the shortest month of the year but is unbearably long for Ukrainians. It’s also interesting that the name of February in Ukrainian means “furious” (referring to the traditionally severe weather conditions), so these events seem to have chosen February on purpose. I’d vote for a new name for this month if only it could help restore justice, undo the pain, and bring back all who have given their lives for Ukraine’s freedom since 2014.

Today, Russia launched 4 Kalibr missiles. Two of them were shot down, and the other two hit a target in Khmelnytskyi. The rockets went dangerously low over the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant (in the Mykolaiv region). Their trajectory was not accidental, and the risk of them hitting a reactor and causing a nuclear disaster was high. Russia keeps terrorizing the world.

Please, pray for God to orchestrate an incredible turn of events. Pray for Bakhmut and other intense portions of the frontline. Pray for the liberation of occupied territories. Pray for special protection over the next week as we approach the one-year anniversary of the invasion.