Ukraine: 'When tragedy becomes routine...'

It is never a slow news day in Ukraine.

Recent headlines have featured protests (democracy and free speech are thriving!) against the Government’s decision to replace the popular 35-year-old Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, after merely six successful months.

Behind the scenes is a struggle of tactics and personalities, a new digitised and tech-oriented warfare, and the traditional personnel-dependent methods of the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Leadership shuffles, personality conflicts, and team infighting are not uncommon in war (or, as our own national experience over the past ten years surely demonstrates, peace).

The big picture

The big picture should not be missed. Ukraine continues to fight its existential war against the neighbouring aggressor and has enjoyed increased momentum and success on the battlefield, in international diplomacy, and further afield. They have increasingly taken the fight beyond the occupied territories and the sea, to Russia – even Moscow itself. Their careful and strategic attacks have sadly but not unexpectedly been met with increasing barrages of missile and drone assaults on civilians in cities like Odesa and Kyiv. For the British mind, it is like waking up each morning to 7/7 or worse.

After a while, the news hasn’t changed, but the capacity to feel has.

Sitting metres from where missiles struck a couple of hours earlier, Odesa pastor Caleb Suko reflects:

"Perhaps that is one of war’s greatest dangers. Not only that it destroys buildings and takes lives, but it slowly teaches us to stop grieving and to stop caring. Repeated exposure to violence, loss, and pain teaches us to protect ourselves by feeling less and becoming disconnected from the reality around us.

"Scripture repeatedly warns us about the danger of hardened hearts. (Eph 4v17-19). Evil should never become normal to God’s people. We are called to ‘weep with those who weep’ (Romans 12v15), to value every life as bearing God’s image, and to long for the day when Christ will finally put an end to death, violence, and war. Until then, may God preserve our compassion even when tragedy becomes routine.”

Seminary attack

British Christians are even more at risk of growing compassionless, removed as we are by geographical distance and perhaps less emotionally engaged or relationally connected. It becomes all the more important to hear from brothers and sisters on the ground about their experiences, and the stories that don’t hit the headlines here.

With this in mind, I have asked Ruslan Khmyz, Rector of Kyiv Theological Seminary, to share about a recent attack that has affected their seminary, and to comment more on the urgency of theological education in the present moment. He has written the following letter for your prayers and consideration.

“For more than four years, Kyiv has lived under the constant threat of Russian missile and drone attacks. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, the area surrounding Kyiv Theological Seminary has repeatedly experienced missile strikes and drone attacks. Air raid sirens, explosions, and nights spent in shelters have become part of everyday life for our students, faculty, and staff.

"On July 11, 2026, a Russian ballistic missile struck approximately 200 metres (650 feet) from our campus. The blast caused significant damage to our facilities. Forty-one windows were shattered, parts of the roof were damaged, several interior rooms require repair, and office and technical equipment essential to our ministry was destroyed. By God’s grace, no one on campus was injured. Our team is now repairing the damage, and despite these circumstances, we remain committed to beginning the new academic year on schedule.

"If there was ever a time when Ukraine needed faithful pastors, wise Christian leaders, and churches firmly rooted in the gospel, it is now. The war has created an unprecedented need for pastors, deacons, chaplains, church planters, and Christian leaders. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, approximately 830 pastors and church leaders have left their places of ministry because of occupation, displacement, military service, migration, and other consequences of the war. Yet during the same period, Ukrainian churches have ordained approximately 1,250 new pastors and deacons. These figures remind us that while the war has brought tremendous suffering and loss, God continues to build His church.

"Jesus’ words remain deeply relevant for Ukraine today: 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.' The greatest challenge facing Ukraine is not only the destruction of buildings but the need for faithful, mature Christian leaders. Buildings can be repaired in months. Preparing a pastor or church leader takes years. If the church is to remain strong during the war and faithfully fulfil Christ’s mission by proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, and serving people, we must continue investing in those whom God is calling.

"Many of our current students never intended to become pastors or church leaders. Ministry was not part of their plans. Yet the war revealed an urgent need, and God called them to serve. They responded with faith and obedience. Today they are preparing to shepherd churches, care for people traumatised by war, disciple the next generation, proclaim the gospel, and bring the hope of Christ to communities that desperately need Him.

"At Kyiv Theological Seminary, our calling is to equip men and women to know Christ, proclaim His gospel, serve His church, and lead with Biblical wisdom and Christlike character. We seek to prepare pastors, teachers, scholars, missionaries, and Christian leaders who will faithfully serve wherever God calls them. We believe theological education is not a luxury in wartime. It is an essential ministry that strengthens Christ’s church and bears witness to the hope of the gospel.

"We would be deeply grateful if Christians and churches in Britain would continue to stand with Ukraine in prayer. Please pray for God’s protection over our people, for wisdom and endurance for pastors and church leaders, for healing for those carrying the physical and emotional wounds of war, and that the Ukrainian church would remain faithful to Christ and His mission.

"One of our greatest concerns is that, under the pressure of a long and exhausting war, the church could become focused merely on survival instead of continuing to proclaim the gospel, make disciples, and care for those who suffer. If God leads churches, educational institutions, or individuals to stand with us, we would welcome genuine partnership in the gospel. We long to deepen relationships with churches, seminaries, universities, and Christian educational ministries that share our commitment to preparing faithful servants of Christ. Together, by God’s grace, we can invest in raising up a new generation of Ukrainian pastors, teachers, scholars, and church leaders.

"Your prayers, encouragement, mentoring, academic cooperation, educational partnerships, and practical support can help these men and women grow into faithful servants of Christ who will strengthen His church for generations to come. We would be especially grateful for partnerships that encourage and develop our young faculty members, Christian scholars, pastors, and emerging church leaders as they prepare to serve the church in Ukraine for decades to come.

"Thank you again for standing with us, praying for us, and helping others understand not only the reality of this war but also the faithfulness of God in the midst of it.

"Sincerely in Him,
Ruslan Khmyz
President, Kyiv Theological Seminary”

If you would like to discuss ways of partnering with Kyiv Theological Seminary, please contact Ryan at gracebaptistsineurope@gmail.com for further information.