NBC News reports that fighting continues inside Russian territory for a seventh day following the Ukrainian military’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region. Russia is urging more civilians to flee the intensifying assault today (8/12/2024) as Ukraine’s military advances some 20 miles into Russian territory for the first time in the war.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, released a video yesterday (8/11/2024) showing black smoke billowing from one of the cooling towers of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Zelenskyy blamed the fire on Russian forces, which have occupied the plant since the start of the war in February 2022; however, Moscow blames Ukraine for starting the fire, citing shelling in the area and then claiming it was the result of a Ukrainian drone attack.
Both Ukrainian and Russian officials have said radiation levels at the plant remained normal.
The NBC News article may be read in full HERE.
My brothers and sisters, it’s clear that the ongoing Ukrainian advances into Russian territory have to be an embarrassment to Russian President Vladimir Putin, with thousands of Russian citizens having to be evacuated from the Kursk region and the declaration of a national emergency in the area. As FGGAM reported HERE about three months ago, this is not the first time Ukraine has attacked the City of Belgorod.
As FGGAM reported HERE a few days ago, Ukraine is making it clear that with the help of the free world, and especially with United States and NATO support, it is willing and able to do the ‘heavy lifting’ of protecting its homeland and taking the former Soviet Union-minded leadership of Russian President Vladimir Putin to task – despite unimaginable suffering, loss of life, and a lack of support by much of the world, including the United Nations.
For President Putin, this is a war of choice. Russia is a huge country full of resources, including oil & gas and minerals. This is an evil war being pursued with little to no concern for the loss of lives in Ukraine or even of its own military members. Russia suffers under the leadership of a former Soviet KGB officer seeking the destruction of Ukraine and the death of Ukraine’s elected president in an apparent effort to relive the “glory” days of the former Soviet Union — placing all NATO-aligned nations at potential risk if not unchecked.
As followers of Christ, let’s continue to pray for Ukraine, and all of the surrounding nations, asking the Lord to change hearts and to bring a just and quick end to Russia’s evil attack against the free and sovereign nation of Ukraine and its people. Let’s pray that Ukraine’s civilian and military leadership would make decisions in accord with the wisdom and the will of God. Millions of lives, both Ukrainian and Russian, face untold human suffering and are at great risk.
As the bible says:
Proverbs 10:29 (NKJV)
“The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, [b]ut destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
1 Timothy 2:1-3 (ESV)
Pray for Wisdom for Those in High Positions
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior…”.