April 2024 Update

Peace and grace to all who read these lines!
It has been more than two years since the beginning of the big war in Ukraine, although it is essential to remember that the war, though of lesser intensity, has been going on for ten years.

The current situation in Ukraine is not easy. The regions bordering Russia (Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv) are under regular shelling by artillery, missiles, bombs, rockets, and drones). Settlements near the border are challenged, and residents of these places are gradually evacuating deep into Ukraine.

These days, residents of Kharkiv, where Pastor Sergei lives and ministers, and the region are especially suffering - daily shelling from all kinds of weapons. Every day, there are civilian casualties. Quite a large number of people are forced to evacuate.
Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions located on the front line have daily shelling. Civilian casualties are high. Civilians are gradually evacuated to safer regions in the interior of the country.

All over the country - daily drone attacks, frequent rocket attacks. Especially Odessa and the region suffer from drone attacks.

The enemy has been trying to altogether disable Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro are particularly affected these days. The enemy's goal is most likely to make more of Ukraine unfit for normal life.  A large proportion are moving on to the Western regions of Ukraine, and many women and children are leaving for Europe and beyond. Evacuation seems like the best, albeit painful, solution for tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of civilians. Displaced people remaining in Ukraine receive financial assistance from the state, although not in a significant amount.
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The economic situation remains difficult. Many large businesses are either destroyed or not operating. However, due to mass immigration, there is a shortage of specialists in some sectors of the economy. Skilled professionals can find work, although it may be necessary to move to another region of the country.
Pensioners and people receiving social benefits receive all payments on time, although their size often only allows them to make ends meet. This problem is partly solved by humanitarian aid from foreign organizations, donors, and mutual assistance within the country, including through churches and organizations such as DMI.

The spirit of volunteerism and mutual aid remains high, although not as high as it was in the first months after the start of the war. This is due to the reduction of domestic financial resources and the accumulated war fatigue. We are tired - we have not slept at night for more than two years, and we cry, but despite everything:
There is no panic inside Ukraine. We continue to live and fight, each in our own place, to pray and do good deeds whenever possible, helping those most in need in our midst and our brave warriors.

- Brother Sasha Malov