Ukraine worries creep west
A train station about 30 miles from a Luke Society ministry site in Munkacs, Ukraine, was hit by a missile on Tuesday, striking fear in many.
MUNKACS, UKRAINE—For the first time since the war in Ukraine started two and a half months ago, Russians have fired a missile into the Transcarpathian region.
According to Luke Society Europe regional coordinator Pal Oroszi, the missile strike destroyed a train station on Tuesday about 30 miles from the Luke Society-supported Christian Medical Center of Transcarpathia in Munkacs.
The Transcarpathian mountains have served as somewhat of an insulator for Munkacs from the active warfare, but signs are showing the offensive is starting to move west.
“Many people are more afraid now,” Oroszi said. “It seems every day it is getting worse.”
A gasoline shortage is also becoming a significant problem. Oroszi said issues with transportation could soon trickle down into a food shortage.
An estimated 10,000 people are leaving Ukraine every day through the border with Hungary. Even more are exiting to Poland and Romania.
Despite the dire conditions, the Christian Medical Center of Transcarpathia continues to operate. Electricity and internet are still available. However, the staff has been impacted as some have left as refugees and others have husbands or family members enlisted in the Ukrainian army.
“We feel the absence of a couple of colleagues. It seems they will not return until the end of the war,” Oroszi said.
Rivne
The Luke Society’s other supported ministry in the west is in Rivne, where patients continue to receive care for drug and alcohol abuse at The Right Way. About 35 patients are currently receiving treatment. Several weeks ago there was a strategic missile strike targeting the airport in Rivne, but other warfare disruptions have been fairly minor.
The Right Way co-director Rev. Vitaly Korsunsky has temporarily left Rivne with his family and is living in the Netherlands until the war calms down. Co-director Dr. Oleg Kolbach continues to serve the ministry on location with the help of other counselors. Kolbach’s family has sought refuge in the Czech Republic.
A current concern in Rivne is whether new patients will have the ability to get to the rehab center and if they can even afford the services.
“We pray and ask God to give us strength, patience, health and faith to go through these trials,” Korsunsky said.
Lugansk
Fighting has also escalated in the east where the Luke Society Lugansk operates its ministry near the Russian border. The doctors have not been able to leave Lugansk, but have plans to continue conducting medical work among families and churches in the city.
People between the ages of 18-55 are not legally allowed to leave the area. However, director Dr. Alexander Schevchenko and ministry partner Dr. Alexander Karenko are thankful they received a reprieve from the military draft to continue their medical work.
“We thank you for your prayers and support for our ministry is Lugansk, especially now,” Schevchenko said. “We are grateful to God for His mercy and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”