The Historic Ukrainian Counter Offensive

Update from Buddy, missionary

I want to send you this quick update because the news is historic.

Just yesterday our guys returned from a run in Kharkiv region between Kupyansk and Izium. I know network news and social media is hard to filter and believe, but you can believe THIS news: ... almost 6000 square kilometres of Ukraine has been retaken and is now in the hands of Ukraine again. That news comes from our guys who just drove through the area and not from a second hand source.

This offensive will go down in history as one of the most amazing military feats of all time. In a week Ukraine has taken what it took Russia months to acquire.

Why is it important overall? Again, please note the cities of Kupyansk and Izium. First, these are strategic rail hubs in Ukraine. Russia is rail reliant to get supplies to its troops. Without these hubs it will be extremely difficult to maintain support for any troops in the region. Another thing, these were the administration centres for the Russian appointed leaders for the area. Finally, and probably most important, momentum has drastically swung to Ukraine. Russia can no longer decide what it wants to do in this region. They are on the run and it will be extremely difficult to recover initiative for them.

What happens next?

The next 90 days will be crucial to which way this war will go. The battles in Donbas region continue. There has been success in Kherson region, but it has been slower than the lightning offensive in Kharkiv. However, all is positive for Ukraine today. Now, the offensive must be pressed and find the Russian army stuck and miserable by winter. President Zelensky has rightly said that the next 90 days may well prove the future of Europe. I will add, it may prove the future of the entire world.

Warning - No one knows what a tyrant will do when he is desperate. So we keep supporting, working, and praying.

HOW TO PRAY?

It is tempting to pray with David his “imprecatory psalms” in which he prays that God slay the enemy with the His sword and send them forever to Sheol. If you are prone to pray this way, I totally understand. However, these prayers do not take into account the mercy of our Saviour in the New Testament and His teaching about our attitude towards our enemies. Should I be praying for the death of non-Christians who are killing my brethren? I am torn on that matter. Yet, I have been in the middle of this war for more than 6 months and I have found peace in praying this way:

—For justice to prevail.

—For suffering to end

—For salvation to come to both the oppressed and the oppressors

—For wisdom in the decisions of military, political, and spiritual leaders

—For divine intervention on the side of right

If you decide to pray the prayers of David, then maybe it will also prompt you to remember the admonition of Paul in Romans 12:15 where he tells us to “mourn with those who mourn”. The mourners exist on both sides of the border. May we cry out for the deliverance of His people.