We are honored to share this heartfelt message of gratitude from one of our Ukrainian partner churches – offered in thanks to friends like you.
The weariness of war has nearly broken the strength of the people – just as described in Daniel 12:7. It is a deep exhaustion, not only from the battles themselves, but from the long wait, the patience stretched thin. This is the place where our nation now finds itself.
But parallel to this, as if within all this, there is a revitalizing, resurrecting movement of God’s power. It is still only emerging, like the dawn. But it is already promising, and it is giving hope.
When concrete crumbles and falls away, the iron bars hidden inside become visible. So God gives His strength to His people from within. Friends and partners, thank you for your loyalty to us, which is as strong as steel!
Thank you for strengthening us. May God be glorified in our cooperation for His glory. “Only in God is my soul at rest; my salvation comes from Him.” (Psalm 61:2) Pastor Maksym
Because of your generous partnership with churches in Ukraine,
countless children, families, the elderly, refugees, and soldiers continue to experience hope,
joy, and the tangible love of Jesus in the midst of this crisis.
Standing With Sasha and Yulia in Prayer
This heartbreaking story just arrived from one of our church partners.
“This prayer request is filled with tears, gratitude to God, and the hopes and prayers of our church family. We invite you to join us in lifting these prayers to the Lord.
We lift up prayers for our brother-in-arms, Sasha Stets. For those of us who know him personally, we witnessed his deep desire to shine as a light in the very darkness of war where God placed him. For three years, he faithfully defended Ukraine as a soldier in the Armed Forces.
Now, he urgently needs our prayers, support, and care.
During his last combat mission, Sasha suffered catastrophic injuries. A severe shelling left him with both legs amputated, the loss of fingers on one hand, multiple shrapnel wounds, and serious damage to his eyes.
He is now in a safe place where doctors are providing professional treatment and have already performed many surgeries. One of the most pressing requests is prayer for the restoration of his eyesight and for God’s hand over the entire healing process.
Sasha’s wife, Yulia, has been by his side faithfully. She, too, needs our prayers – that the Lord will grant her courage, strength, and endurance as she walks this difficult path with her husband.
We thank God for sparing Sasha’s life and ask you to continue praying for his recovery and rehabilitation. Sasha and his family desperately need the support of God’s people.
We also believe the Lord is preparing Sasha for a powerful future ministry among war veterans. Pray that God will redeem this suffering and use Sasha’s life as a testimony of hope and faith to many.”
– Makarov Christian Church
Prayer & Support Needed
Will you stand with local churches in Ukraine as they care for families like Yulia and Sasha’s – families facing unimaginable hardship in the shadow of war?
These churches are on the frontlines every day, offering love, hope, and practical help to those in desperate need. And their stories – of courage, compassion, and faith – are echoed in thousands of communities across the country.
By equipping local churches, you are playing a vital role in helping families rebuild their lives, restore dignity, and strengthen their communities. Please keep Sasha and Yulia in your prayers.
Education Fund Story
What happens when a dental student’s dreams are derailed by war?
Kateryna’s life was turned upside down when Russian bombs struck her city of Chernihiv in northeast Ukraine. Displaced and heartbroken, she found refuge, healing – and a renewed calling to serve on the frontlines of need. Discover how your support helped turn a tragic chapter into a testimony of faith and healing. Read Kateryna’s Story
Here is a summary of key events from the past two weeks of the war.
Where things stand
- Frontline: Russia still occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine (including Crimea and large parts of Donetsk/Luhansk). Fighting remains heaviest in the east (Donetsk) and along the northeast axis (Kharkiv/Sumy approaches).
- Air war & deep strikes: Over the last two weeks, Ukraine has intensified drone/missile strikes on Russian oil infrastructure (Ryazan, Saratov and other sites), causing fires and partial shutdowns; Russia has continued large overnight barrages across Ukraine.
The past two weeks (highlights & dates)
- Aug 15–16: The Alaska summit between Presidents Trump and Putin ended without a ceasefire; both sides called the talks “constructive,” but no deal emerged.
- Aug 19–22: The U.S. and European allies began drafting “security guarantee” options for Ukraine (Europe likely to shoulder the lion’s share; U.S. air support left open). Kyiv says details could be formalized on paper within 7–10 days. Moscow insists such talks must include Russia.
- Aug 21–22: Zelenskyy accused Moscow of using mass drone/missile strikes to avoid real negotiations; reports also noted refinery fires inside Russia and fuel supply strains.
- Aug 22: With no breakthrough after Alaska, Washington again floated tougher Russia sanctions; intra-European debates continued over any future troop roles tied to guarantees.
Peace initiatives (what’s actually on the table)
- Security guarantees: Western planners are sketching post-deal guarantees intended to deter renewed invasion – likely heavy European involvement, possible U.S. enablers, and a long-term posture inside/around Ukraine. Russia objects to being excluded from those talks.
- Core dispute: Reuters-sourced reporting (echoed by other outlets) indicates the Kremlin’s baseline demands remain sweeping: recognition of control over all of Donbas, a NATO renunciation/neutrality clause, and limits on Western troops in/around Ukraine. Kyiv publicly rejects territorial concessions.
Outlook: likelihood of continued fighting
- Short term: High. Both sides are still trying to improve bargaining positions: Russia pushes on the Donetsk front and along the northern axis; Ukraine seeks to degrade Russia’s fuel/logistics with deep-strike campaigns. Absent a ceasefire or a major shift in demands, expect continued pressure and periodic escalations.
- Medium term: The viability of any framework depends on credible, resourced guarantees and on whether Moscow moderates territorial/NATO demands. For now, no Zelenskyy-Putin meeting is set, despite U.S. efforts.
Does Putin want to end the war now?
- Answer: Only on his terms. Current signals suggest the Kremlin is open to a settlement that locks in territorial gains, bars Ukraine from NATO, and limits Western military presence, not to a withdrawal that restores Ukraine’s sovereignty. ISW continues to assess that Moscow frames the full “absorption” of the four annexed oblasts as inevitable to force Western/ Ukrainian capitulation. That posture – plus ongoing offensive actions – points to continued fighting unless Kyiv accepts concessions it currently rejects.
The article below provides a more detailed explanation of why Putin is not interested in peace at this time.
Atlantic Council Article
Sorry, Trump, but Putin will not pursue peace until he is facing military defeat
Margarita Simonyan – Editor-in-Chief of the Russian state-controlled propaganda broadcaster “Russia Today”
When Propaganda Meets Reality
A Russian state TV host, who has long justified Moscow’s brutal war, now laments that her children had to sleep in a hallway during a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil refinery (not a civilian apartment block), in Sochi. The irony? For 3.5 years, Ukrainian children have been forced to sleep in bomb shelters and basements as Russia unleashes nightly waves of missiles and drones on their cities and civilians.
Share this Blog
Help us spread the word. We invite you to share HART’s mission in Ukraine with your friends and family. By forwarding our blog posts, you’re helping others discover the incredible impact of this ministry – and inviting them to be part of a story of hope, healing, and transformation.
Pray Together with Your Church, Family, and Friends for:
- A just and lasting peace — that light would overcome darkness.
- Defenders, veterans, prisoners, and their families — for strength, protection, and hope.
- Christians and non-believers in occupied territories — for endurance under persecution.
- The safe return of kidnapped children & healing for broken families.
- Comfort for the grieving & restoration for the wounded.
- Protection of cities, villages, and civilians from relentless attacks.
- Global perseverance in standing with Ukraine during this long struggle.
- Wisdom and courage for world leaders as they confront tyranny.
