As families across Ukraine face yet another Christmas under the shadow of war, the season brings more uncertainty, pain, and loss. Peace remains distant - and attacks now reach deeper into areas that once felt safe.

During a prayer call earlier this week, our Country Director in Ukraine, Volodymyr, shared heartbreaking news: a family of five was killed in a drone strike in the Lviv region. His own teenage son, attending a church conference nearby, described the nights of terror - no sleep, constant sirens, and running to bomb shelters. Thankfully, he was unharmed.

Many of the drones and missiles are specifically targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure which will affect people’s capacity to stay warm as winter approaches. Half of Kyiv and a few other towns in the east of Ukraine has been left with no electricity. Nearly 60 per cent of Ukraine’s gas production has been disabled by Russian attacks.

Yet even in the chaos, Volodymyr says something remarkable is happening. Families are turning more deeply to their faith, clinging to hope and praying for peace.

Mission Without Borders’ support programs including sponsorship, summer camps, and emergency aid continue to bring light into dark times - offering practical help, spiritual encouragement, and a sense of community that the darkness of war cannot destroy.

As Volodymyr put it, even in years of conflict, God has been faithful -  not just sustaining our work, but allowing it to flourish and reach more people.

“As the war intensifies, the prayers of Christians intensify too, and we trust that the Lord will protect us and that peace will prevail one day."

“Please keep us in your prayers and pray in particular for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure: that our nation would have electricity, gas and warmth in wintertime,” he asks.