Ukraine Update: Independence Day

In the United States, Independence Day marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, and is celebrated with food, festivities and fireworks.

In Ukraine, Independence Day takes place on Aug. 24, a reminder of that date in 1991 when the country separated from the Soviet Union. It’s ordinarily celebrated with a big military parade.

Festivities were much more muted this year, which was also the six-month anniversary of the start of the current conflict with Russia. Public events were banned over concern about a possible escalation of Russian attacks, the BBC reported.

Indeed, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russia carried out a much higher number of air and missile attacks than normal on Wednesday, according to the BBC. But our partners at TWR Ukraine remind us that every day in Ukraine means living under the constant threat of a missile strike. A scroll through the TWR Ukraine Facebook page might lead you to think otherwise. Although you won’t understand what is said unless you speak Ukrainian, you’ll see smiling, friendly faces and professionally produced videos.

It’s not as easy as it may look.

“Happy faces, comfortable studios and work dynamics can be misleading and give the illusion that there is no war in Ukraine, or that it is not as big as it is talked about,” TWR Ukraine reports. “But that is solely to the credit of the team, which manages to work under any conditions. We try to cope with the anxiety in our hearts and bring hope and positivity to the listener.”

Prayer points:

• Praise God for giving these dear brothers and sisters the joy that sustains them through an extremely difficult season.
• Ukraine needs hope. Ukraine needs Jesus. Thank God that many people in this land are turning to him in these times. Ask that the hearts and minds of many others will be open to spiritual truth.
• Please pray for our contacts in Russia and Belarus, also laboring under discouraging conditions.
• Pray that God will touch the hearts and minds of the leaders of these countries, that there might be a path to righteous peace.