Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 478):

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 28:7

Today, Kyiv welcomed a delegation of leaders from several African countries. The African continent is very complex. It has been under heavy Russian influence, is dependent on grain produced in Ukraine, and has suffered at the hands of the same mercenary Wagner Group that has been bringing devastation to Ukraine (you can look up Wagner’s involvement in Mali, Sudan, Libya, and Central African Republic). The African delegation, the leaders of Senegal, Egypt, Zambia, South Africa, and the Comoros, came to Kyiv as “messengers of peace” and will follow up with a meeting with Putin in Russia tomorrow.

Many were hopeful that this visit would help bring better understanding and cooperation between Ukraine and the African countries, but most were skeptical, knowing their tendency to gravitate towards Russia. After the visit, we are left with the same mixed emotions.

In the middle of the day, while the leaders of African countries were having their official meeting, Russia attacked Kyiv with 12 ballistic and cruise missiles. Such attacks have become a sort of tradition on the days when high officials of our allies visit Ukraine. However, we were stunned that some officials of South Africa claimed that it was “misinformation and untrue” even though Reuters reported that explosions could be heard in the city and the African delegation was taken to a shelter. The South African spokesperson insisted that it was not true because he saw people in the streets of Kyiv going on about their day as usual. Whoa! How strong must Russian propaganda be if you deny something you are experiencing first-hand?

I looked up the statistics, and over the past 16 months, the people of Ukraine had to spend 37% of their time sheltering during air raids. That is about 9 hours a day! Of course, it’s impossible to be sheltering the whole time, especially if the air raid catches you in the middle of a city while you are on an errand. One may be unfamiliar with the location of the nearest bomb shelter or simply choose to hurry back home instead, all the while creating an illusion of people “going on about their day.” Also, I must admit, after almost 16 months of full-scale war and daily missile attacks, people are tired of sheltering, thus becoming reckless. Besides, Kyiv (especially its downtown area) is one of the safest locations nowadays, thanks to the modern air-defense systems provided by our allies. Thankfully, those air-defense systems intercepted those 12 missiles coming at Kyiv, so the delegation had a chance to make those appalling claims. Unfortunately, not everyone was as lucky.

The missiles were shot down on their approach to Kyiv. The debris fell in the Kyiv region, injuring 7 people, including two children. 3 private houses were destroyed, and 30 more were damaged. There was an interview with a 13-year-old boy who was home alone and decided to go to the cellar when he heard the siren – it saved his life. The police said it was unlikely he would survive had he stayed inside his house. How would this boy respond to the claim that the missile attack was “misinformation and untrue”?

Today’s situation again shows that it’s not just Ukraine or Russia; the whole world needs our prayers. The whole world needs to recognize God’s truth and stand on it. This is not just the problem of South Africa. In fact, I know several people from or in South Africa who actively support Ukraine and faithfully pray for us. The world desperately needs Jesus and His healing.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:12-13)