From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 470):
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
but we rise and stand upright.
Psalm 20:7-8
The tragedy of the past few days exhausted me. Today, I had a busy day away from home, which allowed me to spend the day without news. It felt refreshing, and I kept hoping the war would stand still as long as I was not reading any updates.
Unfortunately, even though we may try to escape reality, it cannot escape itself. Tonight, when I checked the news, I saw that the Russians kept shelling the flooded parts of the Kherson region, targeting rescue boats and evacuation routes. They also prevented people from leaving the flooded occupied areas. They relocated some people and settled them in their quarters, but it was done not out of concern for the people but out of concern for themselves, as these civilians may now be used as human shield.
And right now, several regions of Ukraine are under the attack of kamikaze drones. It’s also likely there are missiles underway (the strategic aviation seems to have launched rockets, but it’s still possible those were false targets to confuse our air defense).
In my weariness, I will pray Psalm 20:1-5 for the people of Ukraine:
May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary
and give you support from Zion!
May he remember all your offerings
and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!
May he grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!
Voice of Ukraine 