Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 373):

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26

Today I kept thinking about the value of life. Human life is sacred. All living things created by God are precious in His eyes. This is what Ukraine is fighting for.

The rescue operation in Zaporizhzhia continues. Today, they rescued three cats and a dog from under the rubble of a destroyed apartment building. I loved that this piece was reported in the news. It is a reminder to love God’s creation that also suffers in this war.

Ukrainian officials have calculated that Ukraine spends about 10,000 UAH ($270/255) monthly on one Russian POW in a war camp. This is slightly less than the amount spent on one inmate in a regular Ukrainian detention center. This covers utilities, food, medical care, and salaries of the detention officers and staff. The prisoners are taken to a bomb shelter during the air raid warnings and are allowed a phone call every two weeks. Most prisoners are required to work (manual labor, such as putting together furniture). Work is paid, and with this money, prisoners can buy something from a local store. It is a reminder that every person deserves to be treated with dignity regardless of their choices. This doesn’t come easy when you are in a war zone, but we keep praying for the hearts of Ukrainians not to be hardened.

The Ukrainian government is considering passing a resolution on the mandatory evacuation of children with a parent/legal guardian from the active combat zone. It’s been reported that 37 children remain in Bakhmut, and their parents refuse to evacuate. While Russia kidnaps and illegally deports Ukrainian children to be adopted into Russian families, Ukrainian volunteers are bound by the law. They cannot take a child away from their parents despite the immediate danger. The new resolution (if passed) would require at least one parent to be evacuated with the child to safety. I have mixed feelings, but I admire the evacuation volunteers who pursue families remaining in Bakhmut and bring supplies to those who refuse to leave. It is a reminder that every person is valuable and does not deserve to be given up on.

My son shared his dream with me at bedtime tonight, “You know, mom, every night I dream that I will wake up in the morning to the sounds of a victorious march played on trumpets all around. It would mean the war is over, we have won, and all the soldiers could return home to their loved ones.” Lord, make this child’s dream come true.