SINCE Russia’s invasion of Ukraine almost a week ago, the situation has taken a turn for the worse, described by one Catholic leader as a “terrorist offensive”.
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, who represents Ukrainian Catholics in the United States, is in contact with Ukrainians on the ground and is appalled by the human cost.
More residential areas are being targeted by Russian military strikes and the civilian death toll continues to rise.
“This is now becoming a terrorist offensive hitting buildings, schools, high rises – civilians are getting killed,” Archbishop Gudziak told New York news channel PIX11.
“But there is incredible resolve. Over the last week 100,000 volunteers have joined the territorial defense units.
“And as the world is seeing this incredible (Russian) army, that outnumbers the Ukrainian army in resources and budget and planes and tanks ten to one, is being held back.
“The world today is seeing a kind of a David and Goliath story.”
Moscow is faced increasing isolation on the world stage as President Vladimir Putin showed no sign of stopping its Ukraine invasion, with constant bombardment and sparking a refugee crisis.
More than 600,000 civilians have fled Ukraine, according to the Unite Nations.
The European Union (EU) estimates that up to four million people may try to leave the country because of the Russian invasion. The bloc has relaxed its rules on refugees and says its member states will welcome the refugees with “open arms”.
Earlier today a Russian missile hit a television tower in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, killing five people and potentially disrupting its signal.
The tower is situated in Babyn Yar a territorial area of the city where a World War two massacre occurred – more than 33,000 Jewish people were killed by Nazi forces in September 1941.
Today, Ash Wednesday Caritas Australia is holding “Pray for Ukraine”, a special prayer in solidarity with Ukraine open to all via Zoom at 4pm AEST. Caritas Australia’s Director of Mission, Michael McGirr, will be leading the vigil.
Join the vigil at: Ash Wednesday Pray for Ukraine Meeting ID: 883 2914 0480 Passcode: 248123
