“It was a harrowing night of shelling and explosions. We are now returning to our everyday lives, that is, to serving those most in need”, said Fr Vyacheslav Grynevych, director of Caritas-Spes Ukraine, reporting directly to SIR from Kyiv. “Russian forces killed at least 15 people and wounded 75 in last night’s drone and missile attack on Kyiv”, wrote Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram. It was yet another harrowing night, with more attacks, more people wounded, and more homes destroyed amid anxiety and grief. First responders remain at the scene, searching for people who may be trapped under the rubble. A team made up of rescuers, doctors, police officers and volunteers is present at the scene of one of the attacks. They are coordinating their efforts as best they can to “help and save those who have been affected.” “The attacks began at 10 pm last night – says the director of Caritas-Spes – and continued uninterrupted every minute until morning. We heard different noises. They unleashed a barrage of weapons on the city, employing drones and missiles. Our defence forces did everything possible to protect the city, but it was hell on earth”.
Father Grynevych is a Pallottine priest. The house in which he lives is located just to the left of the Dnipro River, an area which was targeted in last night’s attacks. “A flat neighbouring our house was impacted, and the dense smoke spread in all directions.” Members of the clergy received advance warning on social media and decided to take refuge in shelters for the night. Residents also left their homes and sought refuge in the city’s metro stations. “It’s normal to be afraid”, remarked Fr Grynevych. “This morning, as we arrived at the Caritas office, we asked ourselves again how everyone got through the night. Nobody slept. We are all exhausted, and we expect more attacks today.”
Fr Grynevych adds: “Meanwhile, our efforts at Caritas-Spes remain undiminished. There is so much that needs to be done. Two emergencies in particular require our urgent intervention: facilitating evacuations from cities and sites under Russian attack, as in the city of Sumy, and ensuring that displaced persons have somewhere to stay. “What we face now,” he says, “is much like the first days following the onset of the large-scale Russian aggression. The main difference is that today the whole world is at war, and therefore, the amount of aid that used to arrive has dropped sharply.” “We are facing a dark period,” concludes Fr Grynevych. “In these challenging times, we ask you not to forget us and to continue offering prayers so that the hope that has always guided us will never diminish.”
