Some thoughts from Ira Kapitonova (Kyiv)
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
Psalm 17:6‭-‬7 ‬

There are some random things I remember from the first weeks of the invasion. Those are not important things, but they speak volumes to me. For example, because of many supply chains being broken, in those first weeks of the war, you had to hunt for bread because it was hard to come by. Ironically, that was our biggest craving, so I remember how happy we were when we could finally find yeast in the store. It was a true treasure. We smile at this memory now, but I know that, unfortunately, for many people it is still their reality.

And I know that after our victory, many years later, there will be things or words that pull at the strings of our hearts and trigger the memories you weren’t even aware of. Who could have thought that we would be the generation to live in times of war? And who knows how many generations it would take to heal from this trauma?
So we keep on trusting God and asking Him for His justice.
From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right! (Psalm 17:2)

Today was marked by powerful ammunition explosions at the military airfield in Novofedorivka in occupied Crimea. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said it “cannot determine the cause of the fire, but once again reminds of the rules of fire safety and the prohibition of smoking in unspecified places.” The New York Times claims that the attack on Crimea was carried out by Ukrainian-made weapons. Whatever it was, it raised the spirit of many Ukrainians as that airfield was used for air attacks in the south of Ukraine.

However, Russia is known for retaliation, especially when its pride is wounded. Please, pray for special protection for Ukraine and our victory to stop this evil.
Today’s picture was taken by me back in 2010 during our vacation in Yevpatoria, Crimea. The 200-year-old vine grows in the inner court of a Karaite Kenesa (Karaites, along with Crimean Tatars and Krymchaks, are the indigenous peoples of Ukrainian Crimea). I dream of the day when we would be able to go there again.

Today’s picture was taken by me back in 2010 during our vacation in Yevpatoria, Crimea. The 200-year-old vine grows in the inner court of a Karaite Kenesa (Karaites, along with Crimean Tatars and Krymchaks, are the indigenous peoples of Ukrainian Crimea). I dream of the day when we would be able to go there again.

Thank you for your continued prayers, so many are dependent on them.

Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team