From: Ira Kapitonova — in Kyiv (Day 998 – 3924 days since the occupation of Crimea)
Did you know that you can hear death? Not yours, because they say if you hear it, it’s not coming after you this time. Death cuts through the air with a distinctive noise. It shakes the walls of your house and shatters the windows. It reminds the sound of thunder but you know only a rain of tears is to follow.
Last night, Russia launched a massive combined attack of drones (90) and missiles (120). It was to be a display of power for the newly elected US president and Western leaders. It was a night of terror for so many. We were still in the village and only read about it in the news, and then we heard personal accounts of our friends and relatives who hid behind two walls and prayed for protection and God’s will.
The attack didn’t cause as much destruction as it could. Our air defense did the incredible, and we recognize that the number of casualties could have been extremely high if not for the grace of God.
The rolling stabilization blackouts are back. They say it’s a temporary measure just for a few days, but we are mentally preparing for months in this mode.
Sitting and feeling sorry for ourselves here in Kyiv was tempting until I checked the news in the evening. Ballistic missiles hit an apartment building in Sumy. It’s close to my friend’s childhood home. As of now, they speak about ten people killed (including two children), 50 injured, and over 400 evacuated from the buildings at risk. The second missile hit a critical infrastructure facility, so the people were left with no electricity, no water, and no heat.
They say the US administration has lifted some (but not all) restrictions on using the US military aid to strike back into the Russian territory. There’s been no official information so far, but it could be a great help. Imagine how many lives would be spared if Russian military airfields or drone and missile production facilities could be incapacitated! Ukraine needs to be able to strike back.
We’re going to bed in our beds with great faith and hope, but the mattress in the hallway is also ready.
Lord, we ask for your intervention!
Voice of Ukraine 
One response to “11/18/2024 — Did you know that you can hear death?”
Psalm 9
“I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all Thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to Thy name, O Thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at Thy presence. For Thou hast maintained my right and my cause; Thou satest in the throne judging right. Thou hast rebuked the heathen, Thou hast destroyed the wicked, Thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.
O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. But YHWH shall endure for ever: He hath prepared His throne for judgment. And He shall judge the world in righteousness, He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
YHWH also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, YHWH, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. Sing praises to YHWH, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people His doings. When He maketh inquisition for blood, He remembereth them: He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.
Have mercy upon me, O Lord; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: that I may shew forth all Thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in Thy salvation. The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. YHWH is known by the judgment which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Arise, O Lord; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in Thy sight. Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men.”
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