However, Ukraine’s military said it couldn’t because pro-Russian separatists who advanced last week were still attacking its positions. Since the “truce” went into effect last week, fighting has killed more than 5,600 people. Although the deal looks stillborn, the deals’ backers hope something can be salvaged.
Fearing vulnerability with pro-Russian forces already inside its borders, Ukraine doesn’t want to leave the welcome mat out for a Russian advance. Although military objectives advance and towns fall, nobody’s really “winning.” Eric Mock, Vice President of Ministry Operations at Slavic Gospel Association, says, “It really is a conflict that has hurt both countries. The ruble has fallen dramatically against the dollar. Now, with the truce not holding as well as it should, the hryvnia is falling apart, as well.”
The violence keeps pushing people out. As each area falls to the rebels, it’s preceded by waves of refugees. “What we’re seeing is literally an influx of orphan children into orphanages. We’re seeing a difficulty for people to put food on the table. In many cases, the primary problem is refugees.”
Churches are opening their doors, too. “Just in the northern part of Kiev, [there are] so many refugees at a church that all their Sunday school rooms were used to house families, as well as during the week in the sanctuary. Many of them were families with young children. They had no way to provide diapers for them. So, we’re leaving funds to even have these children equipped with diapers.”