Ukraine at War – Update 09, 2025

The reconstruction of Ukraine has begun

As Russia continues to bombard towns and cities – committing undeniable war crimes – Ukraine is responding with remarkable resilience and ingenuity. Amid the destruction, communities are rebuilding homes, apartments, places of worship, and critical infrastructure. This determination is evident across multiple sectors, fueled by local efforts and international support.

‘Rebuilding is part of our resistance‘

The White House describes the destruction of Ukraine in exaggerated terms, claiming that the majority of its cities had been “blown to smithereens.” This is simply not true. Yes, there is tremendous destruction of towns and small cities, but these are located primarily in the Russian-occupied areas of south-eastern Ukraine. 

The remarkable resilience of the Ukrainian people is evident in the fact that, throughout Ukraine, including even 20 km from the front lines, villages, towns, and city governments are rebuilding damaged buildings, apartments, and homes.

It is here that many of HART’s church partners are heavily involved in local reconstruction projects, sharing God’s love and helping their “neighbors” rebuild their lives and homes.

HART’s Mobile Home Project, which provides temporary shelter to families as they rebuild their war-damaged homes, is viewed by most recipients as nothing short of a miracle. However, the demand for these homes far exceeds our financial capacity to provide them. This project urgently NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!

Learn more about the Mobile Home Project… HERE

SEE PHOTO ALBUM OF RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN UKRAINE

Putin is ruthlessly erasing Ukrainian identity in Russian-occupied Ukraine

The grim reality of Russia’s invasion should weigh heavily on the US officials who are currently charged with drawing lines on maps and attempting to create a realistic framework for a possible ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

While diplomatic compromises and temporary territorial concessions are now clearly inevitable, any future peace deal must also take into account the fate of the millions of Ukrainians who are likely to be left under Russian occupation.

Those who remain in occupied territories are subjected to terror tactics in conditions that Britain’s The Economist has described as a “totalitarian hell.” Here are some key human rights violations:

Forced Conscription

• Men are being forcibly conscripted into Russian-backed armed forces
• Those who resist face detention, torture, or execution

Restrictions on Freedom of Expression

• Suppression of pro-Ukrainian views and symbols
• Arrests of journalists, activists, and dissenting voices
• Banning of Ukrainian language media and cultural events

Property Rights Violations

• Illegal seizure of property from Ukrainian citizens
• Forced adoption of Russian passports to maintain property ownership

Denial of Ukrainian Identity & Cultural Heritage

• Forced adoption of Russian citizenship
• Replacement of Ukrainian education with a Russian curriculum
• Kidnapping tens of thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied regions and deporting them to Russia, where they are subjected to ideological indoctrination to rob them of their Ukrainian roots 

Arbitrary Detention and Torture

• Widespread reports of civilians detained without due process
• Use of torture and inhumane treatment in detention facilities

Restrictions on Movement

• Checkpoints limiting travel between occupied and Ukrainian-controlled areas
• Denial of passage for humanitarian aid relief vehicles

Religious Persecution

• Closure and destruction of Ukrainian Orthodox and Evangelical churches
• Beatings, torture, and killing of clergy
• It is forbidden to speak, pray, or sing in Ukrainian
• A woman who prayed in Ukrainian during a church service was sentenced to five years in prison for “spreading the Ukrainian language” and posing a “threat” to the Russian Federation..

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have consistently reported these violations.

Please pray for our Evangelical brothers and sisters living in these territories under such dangerous circumstances.

“Whatever you did for the least of these…”

RELIEF AID DELIVERED EFFICIENTLY

With the suspension of USAID funding to Ukraine, NGOs like HART are even more critically important in addressing humanitarian needs during the ongoing war. HART’s model of partnering with local churches ensures that aid is delivered efficiently to those who need it most.

Because of YOUR support, HART and its church partners continue to provide critical support to internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, the elderly, children, and those living near the front lines. This includes:

Shelter – Food, clothing, and water – Transportation and evacuation assistance – Medical supplies and care

YOUR generosity and compassion bring hope, comfort, and tangible relief to thousands of people affected by the ongoing war. Thank you for your generous support!