From: Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 1194)
Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
Psalm 144:1-2
The sirens went off shortly after I published my post last night. We spent the night in the hallway as the russians sent almost 500 drones and some ballistic missiles. The air raid lasted for almost 11 hours. Their gain was our ruined sleep, some canceled plans, and more terror planted in the hearts of people.
However, the story does not end there. In fact, today, Ukraine wrote a new page in the history of warfare, and I hope and pray that this day will also be studied as a crucial point in this war. Today, Ukraine’s Security Service carried out a large-scale special drone operation, hitting 41 military aircraft (including strategic bombers, some already loaded with missiles) at four airfields deep inside russia. They managed to smuggle drones deep into russian territory, hide them until the designated time, and launch them remotely. This attack damaged 34% of russian strategic aircraft and cost them about 7 billion dollars! President Zelesnkyi said it took our security service one year, six months, and 9 days to plan and carry it out. I did the math, and it brings us to November 2023. Just imagine all of your prayers for Ukraine since that day may have been accumulating for this incredible day.
I am often angered when people equal Ukraine to russia, saying that both countries need to stop fighting. However, only people who don’t understand the reasoning behind this war can say that. Russians fight to kill us and destroy us as a nation (which is proven by their constant attacks on our civil infrastructure). Ukrainians are fighting to stop the russians from killing us. And today’s attack on russian airfields testifies to that. Ukraine’s strike has prevented many possible missile attacks, even though we know our “neighbors” and expect some sort of revenge.
Ukrainians are peaceful people. We long for the day when we’ll be able to live our simple lives, and that’s precisely what our soldiers are fighting for. Yet we are praying for a just peace to reign in Ukraine and for God’s will to be done here.
May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown,
our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace;
may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce;
may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing;
may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
Psalm 144:12-14
Voice of Ukraine 
3 responses to “6/2/2025 — Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war…”
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November 11, 2023
From Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 625):
Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Psalm 25:3
We had a long air raid today. All of Ukraine was under the threat of ballistic missiles. They announce this specific warning every time a ballistic rocket launcher takes off in Russia or Belarus. It can be a practice run, an actual missile launch, or one more opportunity to torture the people of Ukraine.
From 10:30 am to 2 pm, life stood almost still in every part of Ukraine. Municipal public transportation was stopped. The stores closed off. The schools brought their students to the basements and did their best to continue their lessons.
Can you imagine spending almost 4 hours locked up in tight quarters with eager youngsters? It was easy for us, adults, to get restless, even though we knew and understood everything. I could see many of the kids getting headaches, growing anxious, and asking if their parents would pick them up soon. One boy tugged me on an elbow and said, “I really don’t want to stay here anymore. I am tired of sitting!” I knew exactly what he meant.
However, I tried to be still thankful for not having blasts anywhere close and for having electricity during this air raid. This time last year, electricity was a luxury.
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