Supporting Children Amidst the Drone War in Ukraine: A Summer of Hope and Healing

July 2026

Dear friends, I hope that you are enjoying your summer season and planning on some well deserved vacation and rest!

In Ukraine, the news has not changed much – it is now a drone war, with both sides constantly sending hundreds (if not thousands) of drones and glide bombs across the border each day. Ukraine mostly attacks Russian oil infracture and Moscow and Russia is heavily focusing on Kyiv right now. It was reported that 40,000 Russian troops were killed in June. The total death toll from both sides will be above 3 million in a matter of months.

Pastor Sasha in Balaklayea is very thankful for everyone who has supported him since a drone destroyed his church. Your kindness has allowed us to make an initial donation of almost $4,000 to go towards his roof repairs. But I will share about that in September, once I see some progress on the restoration efforts.

We also just sent another $4,250 for the kid’s summer outreach programs. In this letter (and next month), I will briefly share about the children’s summer programs, which are in full swing. Each church that we partner with has at least one summer program for the kids – like a VBS (Vacation Bible School). New Life Church in Kharkiv engages in children’s outreaches in many different villages all summer long. They are our largest partner for our kid’s programs. Here is what pastor Vlad has shared:

“Hello Ron and everyone from Slavic Christian Ministries! We are so thankful for your helping us reach children all summer long throughout our war-torn region that may take years and years to recover. As you know from our partnership, we are holding children’s camps in many villages because most of these children have no church services or kid’s programs to bless them and educate them on a weekly basis, if at all. These kids basically sit at home all day long - every day, with no opportunity to socialize or to learn with other kids. The children are so grateful and excited when they see our vans approach their villages, because it helps them on so many levels – spirtually, emotionally, and relationally.

We are very strategic in our approach and strive to be very professionally by giving attention to “every child,” so no child is lost or forgotten in the crowd. Your ministry helps make it possible for so many children to experience joy and learn about Christ’s love – all the children are very joyful and we are very grateful. Unfortunately, we live in a situation where our region is constantly under shelling, bombs, and drones and school for most of these kids is only online. They see nothing and expericing nothing day after day, week after week, and month after month. These kid’s desperately need our help to keep their mental health intact. When we visit them, they hear the gospel message of God’s love, we provide hope, and these children converse, dance, play games, and interact with each other which is vital!

Here are a couple of testimonies to make it more personal:

One child we serve is Masha, who is a special needs child with vision problems. One family in a village adopted her and loves her very much. Masha cannot see the beautiful colors and the puppet shows we put on, but she can hear them and still have joy! But she is surrounded by a lot of love, despite not having much interaction outside of the home.

Your readers may know this by now, but in 2022, when the full scale Russian evasion began, the orphans were evacuated from Kharkiv to many villages around our region. The family who adopted Masha also adopted many other children who were abandoned by their biological parents. This is an amazing family that also adopted a young child who was dying. The child eventually passed away, but at least the child was deeply loved in the arms of a new mother, who loved and cared for the child, until reaching the arms of our loving Savior, Jesus. Please pray for this entire family, who is seeking to show the love of Christ to all these unwanted kids in the village we visit.

Another child you helped us reach in a village is Dennis, who has spina bifida and complex neurological and urological medical conditions. Despite him having to deal with daily suffering, our programs bring him reprieve and joy too.

I realize that these are two extreme examples of children we serve for our Lord Jesus, but thanks to Slavic Christian Ministries, we are serving hundreds and hundreds of children monthly. We really hope that when this war is over, you and others in America will visit us because I cannot emphasize enough how much the kid’s need to know they are not forgotten and loved by those who cherish them, like you all! I want to sincerely thank everyone who helps us and I want to express my extreme gratitude from all of us at New Life Church – Kharkiv, for the incredible gifts, prayers, encouragement, and partnership we have together!” – Love, pastor Vlad

Friends, I could write on and on, but I think you get a snapshot of the work going on in Ukraine. Thank you for praying and helping us serve thousands of kids each year through our strategic partnerships. Please pray for all of our ministry partners who work tirelessly, the hurting families, and beautiful kids who need this war to be over!

In Jesus’ love,

Ron