Russia launched its largest ever drone and missile attack on Kyiv in the early hours of Sunday, 7 September. The city centre’s main government building was hit for the first time, causing damage to its roof and upper floors and igniting a fire. Ukraine’s air force said that Russia had launched 805 drones and 13 missiles. This was the “largest air attack” since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. SIR interviewed Monsignor Oleksandr Yazlovetskiy, auxiliary bishop of Kyiv and president of Caritas-Spes Ukraine, who witnessed the attack.
Your Excellency, can you tell us what happened?
I arrived in Kyiv yesterday morning at around 7 a.m. on a night train from Lviv, which had been hosting celebrations for the 650th anniversary of the archdiocese’s foundation. Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe of Naples presided over Holy Mass. A beautiful liturgy was held in Lviv’s cathedral, whose stained glass windows were covered with protective materials to shield them from air raids. No sooner had Mass concluded than the air raid siren sounded in Lviv, almost as if to mark the end of the celebration.
What did you see when you arrived in Kyiv by train?
Upon arriving in Kyiv at 7 a.m., the city was enveloped in a haze of smoke. It was the biggest attack on the capital to date. The alarm was still sounding and there were explosions. I took the metro from the central station to the main square, where our cathedral is located, and saw the government building shrouded in black smoke. Another drone was flying over the central square. The streets were empty; many citizens had sought refuge in the underground stations on their way to work. More sirens sounded throughout the day. As you know, three people were killed yesterday, including a three-month-old baby.
How are you? How do you cope with the constant bombardment?
We are all tired of this war that seems to be never-ending. It is frustrating to see the world failing to recognise that Putin is a murderer with no intention of ending this war. Unfortunately, the responsibility lies not only with him, but also with the ordinary Russians who enlist for the money and their families who support them — perhaps even praying for their safety. Countries that purchase oil and gas from Russia are also responsible, justifying their actions by claiming that their nations’ well-being would otherwise be jeopardised. They don’t seem to realise that winter is coming not just for them, but also for Ukraine. While for them it means higher utility bills, for us it is a matter of survival.
What worries Caritas-Spes most?
Winter poses another challenge: will we be able to live without heating and electricity? We are planning a number of projects at Caritas, but we know they are just a drop in the ocean. Cities in central and western Ukraine are overflowing with refugees. Many lack the most basic necessities because of escalating prices.
What are your requests?
Our prayers are for more air-defence systems to better protect Ukraine’s people and energy infrastructure. We are also praying for greater pressure to be put on Russia through sanctions. We are praying that the United States and Europe will join forces and take concrete action, rather than just paying lip service to the issue.
On Sunday 7 September, Pope Leo renewed his appeal for peace. “To those in power, I repeat: listen to the voice of conscience!”, he said. “The apparent victories achieved with weapons, which sow death and destruction, are in reality defeats and never bring peace or security! God does not want war; he wants peace.” What do these words mean to you?
Pope Leo appeals to the consciences of those in power around the world. We are deeply grateful to him. We hope with all our hearts that his voice will be heard. The voice of the Vicar of Christ is the voice of Christ himself.
