This video clip that recently went viral hit close to home—literally. I’ve been on this road multiple times. It wasn’t me in the footage, but I’ve lived through the very same kind of attack. The truth is, the Russians did try to kill me. They tried to kill everyone who was in the car with me. They failed, by the grace of God. But the experience taught me something significant, and I believe it’s important to share it—not for sympathy or praise—but to shine light on the truth of what’s happening in Ukraine.
This is not a political message or the opinion of a an armchair warrior. This is a firsthand account from some who lives in Ukraine.
A Human Safari
In the city of Kherson, there’s a chilling term locals have started to use: “Human Safari.” That’s literally what Russians are doing as they hunt down civilians with their drones. They don’t care if it’s men, women, children, the elderly. Anyone is fair game.
The videos are often proudly posted on Russian social media, set to heavy metal music, with gloating commentary. But for Ukrainians, it’s not a game—it’s terror.
You can easily see that the van in the clip I share is not military. It was evacuating civilians, mainly elderly people who have been left behind and find themselves now targets of twisted Russian game of human safari.
My Experience
Last year, I was in that exact area—just a block from where the video was filmed—visiting a local pastor, Pastor Oleg. We knew he Russians were just on the other side of the river. Still, it was calm when we arrived.
When we arrived Pastor Oleg came out to greet me and asked, “Didn’t you get my message?”
“What message?” I asked.
“The Russians just bombed three cars, 150 yards from here.”
I hadn’t received his message because I had shut my phone down for security reasons in that area.
We quickly headed into the house for relative safety, sat down talked a bit and prayed. As we did, the explosions began and then grew louder and closer. We waited for a lull, then I told my those with me “Let’s go. Now. Straight to the car. No lingering outside”
We jumped into the car and started driving. Just 100 yards down a dirt road, we saw an elderly woman sitting beside the road, her hand bloodied from a drone attack just minutes ago. Smoke was still rising from the middle of the street. I hesitated. Turn right or go straight? I’d been both ways before. I don’t know why, but something prompted me to turn right.
Seconds later, the Russians dropped an explosive right where we would have been if I’d gone straight. Just 30 yards from us. I didn’t realize it but a drone had been following our van directly above us, they were targeting us.
We were not military. We didn’t look like military. We were just civilians trying to leave. But they had a drone on us, and they tried to kill us.
Evil on Display
This is evil—pure, deliberate evil. And it comes from a worldview that has no value for human life. Civilians as disposable, they are nothing more than soft targets. People sometimes say, “Oh, Russia and Ukraine are similar.” I beg to differ. I’ve seen the difference. I’ve felt the difference.
The Bible doesn’t shy away from describing this kind of evil. In Psalm 10, David writes:
“He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent.
His eyes watch in secret for his victims…
He catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.”
That’s exactly what we’re experiencing. Drones watch from above, ambush the helpless, and strike.
Later in the Psalm, David cries:
“Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.”
That’s our prayer. And that’s what we ask of you too.
The Church’s Role
Our role as Christians is not military. But it is spiritual. And spiritual battles are real in war. Evil doesn’t just destroy homes and bodies—it poisons hearts and minds.
If the Church remains silent, the darkness creeps deeper. But when we preach hope of Jesus, when we offer compassion, when we serve in Christ’s name, we fight back. Pastor Oleg, even after losing both of his vehicles and his home to drone strikes, continues to serve in a relatively safer part of the city. He’s giving hope, sharing the gospel, and shining light in the darkness.
Every war has deep spiritual implications and that is true for what is happening in Ukraine. People can easily grow bitter, angry, and hateful when they experience such evil against them. That is why Ukraine needs the Church and the redemptive hope of the gospel now more than ever. In the end Hope is more powerful than terror, and the love of Christ is greater than the hate of Russians towards the Ukrainian people.
Why Support Ukraine?
Because it’s not just a political issue—it’s a gospel issue.
Despite what some say, the truth is Ukraine still has tremendous religious freedom. We can still share the gospel here without fear of government persecution. But if Russia fully occupies this land, that freedom will vanish. Churches will be closed. I would be forced to leave and the freedom to preach the gospel would dwindle away.
So yes—pray for Ukraine. Yes—stand with Ukraine. But also, support the spread of the gospel here. That’s how we win. That’s how light pushes back against the darkness.
From someone who has lived through it: please do not forget the helpless!
