Voice of Ukraine

From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 500):

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
Psalm 50:23

It’s been 500 days since Russia started its full-scale aggression as a new stage of the 9-year-long war that takes its roots centuries ago. We must remember many events that preceded this full-scale war and many heroes who have given their lives for Ukraine’s freedom.

It’s been 500 days since I wrote my first war-related post, never expecting it to turn into what it is now. God is always good and faithful, and we’ve seen it confirmed again and again.

Someone shared this timeline, and I thought it gave a beautiful perspective.

500 days of full-scale war

497 days ago, we destroyed the expectations of “Kyiv falling in three days” and the myth of Russian military glory

462 days ago, we liberated the Kyiv region and the north of Ukraine

451 days, the defenders of Ukraine sent the Russian cruiser “Moscow” to the bottom of the Black Sea

380 days ago, Ukraine received the first Himars from the Allies.

373 days ago, Snake Island was liberated.

305 days ago, a counteroffensive began in the Kharkiv region, and the cascading collapse of the Russian defense shocked the whole world

273 days ago, the first strike on the Crimean bridge disrupted Russian logistics

239 days ago, Kherson was liberated

113 days ago, Ukraine obtained an arrest warrant for Russian President Putin in the Hague

80 days ago, we received powerful air defense equipment from our partners, the Patriot system

65 days ago, the Russian “supersonic” Kinzhal missile was shot down for the first time

Right now, our soldiers are liberating the occupied lands in the east and south in heavy battles.

Very soon, we will start pilot training for the F-16.

It is symbolic that today Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, celebrates his 50th birthday. Many war experts say it is Providence that he is the one leading our army at a time like this.

Another incredible event today is the return of five Azov commanders, the leaders of the Mariupol defense. They were released from Russian captivity in September 2022, but Russia demanded that they stay in Turkey until the war’s end (something similar to internment). The five Azov commanders spent over 9 months in Turkey, not really able to see their loved ones. We greatly rejoice over their return.

I don’t think we’ll be capable of a comprehensive reflection until the war ends (partially because it is too painful, and we can’t afford this vulnerability). Still, even this brief look at what we’ve been through is a testimony of God’s incredible faithfulness.