Living Under the Shadow of War
For Maia Mikhaluk and many Ukrainians, sleep is a luxury they can no longer afford. Nightly Russian air raids over Kyiv, delivered by Iranian-made Shahed drones and Russian Iskander missiles, have created an environment of constant fear. Even children in the city can now distinguish different weapon systems by the sound of explosions. Despite this, life must go on, and faith remains a crucial source of strength for many.
Trump’s Cease-Fire Proposal Sparks Concern
Former President Donald Trump’s recent exchange with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has raised alarms among many Ukrainians. Trump’s demand for an immediate cease-fire, without guarantees that Russia would honor it, left Mikhaluk and others skeptical. To them, it felt less like a genuine attempt at peace and more like a political maneuver. Shortly after the meeting, Trump paused all U.S. military aid to Ukraine, leaving the war-torn country in a precarious position.
Faith as a Source of Resilience
Ukrainian Christians continue to find solace in their faith despite the ongoing war and political uncertainty. Evangelical churches have adapted to the crisis by offering online services for displaced members and installing generators to help communities stay connected. Many churches remain open, serving as places of worship and shelters where people can charge their phones, drink tea, and seek comfort.
Mission to the World coordinator Jon Eide emphasized that church life persists amid the chaos. “They’re still worshiping. They’re still having Bible studies on Tuesday nights,” he said, highlighting the determination of Ukrainian believers.
Survival in a War Zone
In Kherson, Presbyterian pastor Vova Barishnev begins his Sunday mornings by switching on a drone-detecting device before driving his van to pick up churchgoers. Previously, he would simply watch the sky for incoming threats while driving. His reality is a stark reminder of the dangers civilians face daily.
The future remains uncertain for those like Anna and Vasyl Feier, who lost their home in the battle for Irpin. They fled during the 2022 invasion and returned after Ukrainian forces retook the city. Now, they live in a temporary shelter, enduring air-raid sirens and sleepless nights. “It’s very hard to plan things,” Vasyl said. “Every day we don’t know if we will be alive tomorrow or not.”
Skepticism Toward Peace Deals
While many in Ukraine long for an end to the war, there is widespread distrust of Russian cease-fire agreements. Ukrainians remember how their country surrendered its nuclear weapons in 1994 in exchange for security guarantees—only for Russia to violate that promise in 2014 by annexing Crimea. Another cease-fire deal in 2015 was also broken, leading to the full-scale invasion in 2022.
With more than 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers and over 12,000 civilians killed, Ukrainians are wary of negotiations that lack accountability. Mikhaluk, like many others, remains focused on what she believes truly matters. “When you live in a war zone, your every moment can be the last one,” she said. “It makes you want to focus on what is important—on sharing the message of hope, the gospel, with as many people as possible.”
Source:
Ukrainian Evangelicals Wait for the End
Photo by Yurii Khomitskyi on Unsplash
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