As the conflict between Ukraine and Russia approaches its fifth year, the war continues to impose catastrophic human and infrastructure costs across Ukraine. Russian drone and missile attacks have persisted, targeting residential areas, energy grids, and civilian infrastructure, causing deaths, injuries, and widespread blackouts — especially in eastern and southern regions. Most recently, several attacks resulted in multiple civilian deaths, including strikes in Odesa and Kharkiv, highlighting that violence still falls heavily on non-combatants.
Healthcare and humanitarian systems remain under extreme strain. The World Health Organization has launched a 2026 emergency appeal, seeking tens of millions of dollars to protect access to essential health services for hundreds of thousands of people despite continual attacks on hospitals and clinics. Nearly 3,000 verified assaults on medical facilities since 2022 have weakened care and heightened vulnerability among displaced families.
Diplomatic efforts continue but remain fragile. Trilateral peace negotiations involving the United States, Ukraine, and Russia took place in Abu Dhabi earlier this year in an attempt to break the deadlock, though key territorial disputes and security guarantees remain unresolved. These talks yielded the release of hundreds of prisoners but no ceasefire agreement, and Western sanctions packages against Russian energy and financial networks have expanded.
Meanwhile, both sides are reshaping military strategies amid grinding frontline stalemates. Casualty figures remain high, with heavy losses reported on both sides as positional warfare and attrition continue to characterise the conflict.
The human cost persists: millions remain internally displaced, energy shortages are widespread during winter, and children’s education and healthcare access continue to be disrupted. This prolonged war presses deeply on families and communities across Ukraine.
Prayer Pointers
1. Pray for Ukrainian Civilians and Vulnerable People
Pray for protection, comfort, and provision for Ukrainian civilians enduring continued attacks, displacement, and hardship. Ask God to guard families, especially the elderly, children, and those without shelter or basic services, and to fortify aid delivery in the face of violence and winter weather.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1
2. Pray for Peace, Wisdom, and Restraint
Pray that global leaders, mediators, and negotiators would be filled with wisdom, restraint, and courage to pursue peace rather than escalation. Ask God to open hearts to reconciliation, strengthen diplomatic efforts, and dismantle pride and fear that fuel conflict and delay peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9
3. Pray for Healing of Minds and Bodies
Pray for physical healing, mental resilience, and emotional restoration for those wounded, traumatised, or living in fear. Ask God to comfort the grieving, strengthen healthcare workers, and provide resources to care for the sick, displaced, and those suffering from loss.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3
Father God, be shelter and strength for Ukraine’s people. Guard the innocent, guide peacemakers, and bring healing to broken lives. Turn hearts toward peace, uphold mercy over vengeance, and let justice and hope rise above the gloom of war. Amen.
More Information
* WHO Humanitarian Appeal for Ukraine 2026
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/06-02-2026-ukraine–who-seeks-us-42-million-in-2026-to-protect-health-care-as-war-enters-fifth-year 
* Al Jazeera – Key developments in the Russia-Ukraine war
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/8/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-1445 
* Peace Negotiations in the Russo-Ukrainian War
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_negotiations_in_the_Russo-Ukrainian_war_%282022%E2%80%93present%29 
[1:15 pm, 9/2/2026] Andy Page: Page 3 - Shine! In Intro letter… Please remove apostrophe from it’s - so just ‘its’
We will be praying for the vision of 2BC, for children and youth across Indonesia and for the success of the Light of the World movie and it’s
Gospel vision.