Trans World Radio has a national partner in Ukraine and a ministry affiliation in Russia. Extra attention is now paid to themes such as forgiveness, dealing with trials and helping others in need.

The team of New Life Christian radio remains on standby to quickly re-locate if Russia invades.

As tensions grow in the area, evangelicals continue to “trust in God, who is always with us. And we believe that our people will not give up”, says a pastor in Kharkiv.

A long-standing religious tension stretching back many centuries has contributed significantly to the current Russian build-up, largely lost on the western secularist mind.

In Ukraine, prayer gatherings multiply in the face of “stress and fear”. In Russia, evangelical leaders call for mediation.

The European Evangelical Alliance calls on Evangelicals to pray for “the area of Europe where the Church suffers the most: the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine” during the IDOP.

The Russian Evangelical Alliance calls to “restore the peaceful relations between the peoples of both countries”. Churches in Ukraine encouraged to “pray and fast for the peace in our land”.

As the war in Ukraine continues, local pastors on the frontlines are putting their faith into action. Vyacheslav Balagura (Donetsk Regional Church of God Pastor) and Peter Dudnyk (Church of God Missionary Coordinator for Ukraine union) share about their work. OM teams work with several churches in the cities of Odessa, Rivne, Vinnitsa, and Kaharlyk.

The Luhansk People's Republic (Ukraine) has banned all Protestant worship, and believers try to meet in small gatherings. Uzbekistan raids worship services that have not been approved by the authorities.

Many are coming to Christ in some of the toughest prisons in this troubled part of the country.

Most administrative prosecutions end in punishment. Many are prosecuted for sharing their faith on the street. “Believers go out to share their faith less often, and give out publications or invitations less openly”.

Under the decree of autocephaly, the new church’s jurisdiction will be restricted to Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox Church reacts: “It is the result of political and personal ambitions”.

There have been repeated raids on churches by the Luhansk People's Republic. Authorities announced the ban of the “destructive activity of the extremist Ukrainian Union of Evangelical Churches”.

After the conflict with Russia, many in the Western part of the country ask for a second holiday on December 25. Evangelical Christians like the secretary of Ukraine’s security council Oleksander Turchynov back the idea.

“Secret Protestant Churches in Donetsk: Ukraine’s Religious War”. A 20-minute report produced by Simon Ostrovsky for Vice News. 

“A jeep pulled up and 30 guys with assault rifles showed up”, a Pentecostal pastor explains in a video report produced by Vice News. Rebel soldiers occupy Protestant churches in Donetsk and impose Orthodox religion. 

The Rada parliament voted by a sound majority to give more autonomy to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, currently under control of pro-Russian groups.

Germany and France join in to close a peace deal in Minsk. Civilians seek refuge across Russian border. More than 5,000 killed in the conflict.