Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 371):

Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
Psalm 71:3

Nine years ago, on March 1, we went shopping for baby stuff. We still had one month until the birth of our son. I remember walking through a store when my knees went weak and my whole body numb as I heard that the Russian Parliament allowed Putin to use Russian troops in Ukraine to “stabilize the situation.” It was a feeling of complete terror. By then, Crimea was already under crawling occupation, and the Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People said, “The catastrophe can be averted if two groups of people do something – if the Russian people protest against war, and if the world leaders come up with effective measures within the next few hours.” We will be repeating those words eight years later but to no avail. Let it be a reminder that appeasement of aggressor never works.

I remember this day last year. The central square of Kharkiv was attacked with missiles. It was the first outrageous attack on civil infrastructure that could not be justified by the proximity of military targets. We were deeply shocked and still hoping the war would be over in a matter of weeks.

That’s a fragment of the post I wrote last year. Let it be an encouragement and a reminder of what an incredible miracle we are witnessing in our life:

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We will remember countless acts of courage:

• people in the occupied cities of Berdiansk coming into the central square, chanting “Go home!” and singing the national anthem of Ukraine in the faces of armed invaders (caused them to leave!)
• unarmed people blocking the road in their village, causing the enemy tank to turn around and leave
• young boys emptying fuel tanks while the invaders station for a break
  We will remember these stories. We will write books, songs and make movies to make sure these are not forgotten!

We will also testify about God’s faithfulness:

• Russian soldiers getting lost and confused, running out of fuel, and deserting their tanks
• missiles hitting just enough “off” the intended target causing minimal damage
• Ukrainian defenders get a sudden urge to change their position and are saved from an attack
• 7 Russian soldiers surrendering to 1 Ukrainian
• Ukraine standing strong against the monster – “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)