Ukrainian Baptists ask for prayer intercession as tensions with Russia escalate

The Baptist Union of Ukraine is asking churches around the world to pray for Ukraine, which is considering martial law following the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine that erupted in the Black Sea on Sunday, November 25. The incident occurred in the Kerch Strait, a narrow body of water separating the Black and Azov Seas. The Ukrainian Navy reports that three of its vessels were seized and sailors were injured during the attack.

The Security Council and Defense of Ukraine met last night to evaluate this serious situation and recommended that martial law be declared in Ukraine. President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko proposes to introduce martial law from November 28. All the naval forces of Ukraine are on alert.

“We don’t know all the details of what happened and the real intentions of Russian President,” said Igor Bandura, First Vice President of the Baptist Union of Ukraine, “but the situation is extremely serious. We are asking for your prayer for our situation in Ukraine as we believe in our Christian solidarity”

Despite the fact that the world mainstream media is almost silent about the conflict in Ukraine, the war has not stopped there since 2014, when Russia occupied the Crimea and two eastern regions of Ukraine. Moreover, the conflict moves to a new level. If earlier Russia denied its direct participation in the conflict, then this time the Russian navals openly, in front of the whole world fire on Ukrainian ships. Apparently, Russia openly goes to the escalation of the conflict.

Some missionaries pay specific attention to the religiousfront of this war.

“Russian Orthodox Church has broken off relations with Constantinople and is ready to defend its “canonical territories ”by any means. Ukrainian Baptist churches in the occupied territories are outlawed as extremists. And in Russia itself, the persecution of evangelical believers is intensifying. All of this suggests that Russia is preparing for a big war in which the religious factor will have a major role, ”says Michael Cherenkov, Mission Eurasia’s Executive Field Director.

The leadership of the Ukrainian Baptist Union is requesting for prayer support on these days for uneasy decisions for Ukraine, for protection for the country and those ministers who continue to serve in conditions of occupation and military conflict.