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Violence Erupts in Odessa Ukraine, Over 50 Dead

I don’t look forward to checking the news on Ukraine any more but I do it anyway with my eyes half-shut anticipating more bad news, more unrest and more violence.

Unfortunately today was no exception. The only difference was that the bloodshed was much closer to home this time!

dead in odessa

Fighting kills least 4 in Odessa

At least 4 were killed as pro-Ukraine marchers clashed with Russian separatist in downtown Odessa.

These are the streets of our home town!

While it’s still unclean at this point it looks like those who died may have been killed by gun fire coming from the pro-Russian separatist.

31 dead after building set on fire

In response to the attack the pro-Ukraine group went to the separatist camp and burned their tents and then proceeded to set the Trade Union house on fire where many of the separatist were hiding out. Early reports say that nearly 50 died in the fire.

2 helicopters shot down one pilot dead

The Ukrainian government has stepped up its “anti-terrorism” campaign in Eastern Ukraine and the separatist have responded violently.

Today 2 Ukrainian army helicopters where shot down outside of the town of Slavyansk. Reports are that they were shot down with surface to air missiles.  This doesn’t look like the work of regular people who oppose the Ukrainian government. It is a well organized and well armed group.

Women, children and elderly asked to stay home

As a sign that worse things are yet to come in Eastern Ukraine the self proclaimed mayor and separatist leader of Slavyansk asked women, children and elderly to stay in their homes for their own safety.

31 people remain abducted or missing in Donetsk area

The separatist have made it clear that journalists and those who disagree with them are at risk when they come to Eastern Ukraine. The propaganda war is in full swing.

Will there ever be peace?

Sadly right now political peace seems to be a long way off for Ukraine!  However, no matter how far off it seems we have been given the task to bring peace and we must be faithful to our task.

Ultimately there is only one leader who can bring true peace to all Ukrainians and his name is Jesus!

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. Eph 2:17

Something you can do

Download the printable half sheet prayer guide for Ukraine here.

Print it out and use it as an insert for your church bulletin this Sunday or for your Sunday school class or small group.

10 Responses
  • Nelda Pimental
    May 3, 2014

    Will continue to pray.

    • Caleb
      May 3, 2014

      Thank you so much for your prayers Nelda. It’s hard to watch as these things are going on right in Odessa.

  • TCAvey
    May 3, 2014

    I am so sorry to hear this news. I’m praying.
    Thanks for sharing. People need to be reminded of this since it’s “so far away”. Really it’s only a heart beat away. We are part of the Family of God.

    • Caleb
      May 3, 2014

      I’m realizing that often with other news about violence and war it doesn’t really sink in because It’s not in my country. When things happen in your own country and specifically in your own city that impacts you in a completely different way. It’s no longer “over there”.

      • TCAvey
        May 6, 2014

        Very true. But people need to realize it can happen anywhere at any time. We can’t afford to be apathetic.
        Read a news report today that Ukraine has plans in place to relocate many Jews if needed. So surreal.

  • floyd
    May 3, 2014

    Gut wrenching… I’m praying, Caleb.

    • Caleb
      May 3, 2014

      Gut wrenching is appropriate, thanks for praying!

  • Robert Chapman
    May 7, 2014

    Caleb, I left a message to your Youtube page, I hope you answer it:
    https://www.youtube.com/user/SukoFamily/discussion

    Thanks.

    • Caleb
      May 7, 2014

      Robert I didn’t see anything from you there.

    • Michael Voice
      April 7, 2017

      Why is it that when I look at these videos, I always see the ‘separatists’ (the people of Ukraine) standing against men in black uniforms, otherwise known as the CIA mercenary set up BS government, controlled and funded by USA to force the Ukraine people to accept the pro USA, pro ‘Western’ government that they voted AGAINST in the free elections, where they chose a pro-Russia president who represented the will of the people? Again we see the control and attempt to take over countries by USA! The same propaganda every day, “Russia is being aggressive by defending itself against the advance of NATO and USA forces on its borders”. Always your BS ‘Russian Aggression’ is making moves to defend itself, which is why Putin has more admirers in the West these days than ANY of your ‘Western Leaders’. Kick the sleeping bear if you will USA, but much of the world is not fooled by your lies anymore! The entire worlds nations will soon rise against you and your puppet ‘United Nations’, we know you synagogue of Satan, we see you Vatican behind all these things involving your CIA – Catholics In Action, you fool very few these days, and your time for you and your master, Lucifer grows short. We know the end of the battle before it begins… you lose… your government organised fake terrorist BS doesn’t work anymore, no matter how many mercenaries you use, we see you, we know your disguises, we see right through you.