Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 424):

Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us as prey to their teeth!
We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken, and we have escaped!
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 124:6‭-‬8

I read an article today about the defense of Voznesensk. It’s a town in the Mykolaiv region, and the significance of its heroic defense is hard to overestimate. Had the Russians taken over Voznesensk, they could then aim at Mykolaiv and Odesa or even surround all of Ukraine’s south and make a passage to “Transnistria” (the occupied area of Moldova), which would provide more room for causing trouble in Europe. The fight for Voznesensk took place during the first two weeks of the full-scale war. I believe that the millions of prayers uttered on behalf of Ukraine in those days stopped the enemy.

I wonder how many more amazing stories of God’s mercy we’ll be able to learn.

Another interesting report was about Askania Nova, a nature reserve in the Kherson region that was established in 1898 and managed to preserve virgin steppe. The area has been occupied since March 2022, yet the nature reserve was of little interest to the invaders. The management found ways to function independently and provide for the staff and the animals of the reserve and the zoo located on its territory. It took the occupational authorities a year to take over the nature reserve.
Now, the existence of many endangered species in Askania Nova is under threat. The reserve management worries that Russians may hunt or abduct exotic animals for money. Also, knowing the cruelty of the Russian army, they are worried they might deliberately harm the animals in fear of the counteroffensive of the Ukrainian army.

Please, pray for God’s mercy and protection over Ukraine.