St. Louis, Mo., Feb 10, 2023 / 14:15 pm
Marking nearly one full year of conflict in Russia’s war in Ukraine, the leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said Wednesday that the prayers, solidarity, and material support that the international community has provided to Ukraine are helping to give his people hope.
“It’s a miracle we are still alive,” Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk told reporters at a Feb. 8 news conference organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The livestreamed discussion was moderated by Maria Lozano, ACN International’s Head of Press.
“So many good people around the world are united with us in their prayers, in their thoughts, and also in their generosity,” Shevchuk continued. “Without your assistance, we would not survive.”
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022. Since then, more than 100,000 troops on both sides, as well as tens of thousands of civilians, have been killed. Electrical blackouts remain a constant issue for much of the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been appealing in recent weeks for additional foreign aid amid the latest Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine.