Representatives from various religious denominations have posted comments on social media regarding the recent extensive shelling by Russian occupants using missiles and drones on Ukrainian territory overnight from January 1 through 2.
"Once again, Ukrainian cities are under air raid alerts. The fierce Russian enemy, acting like a thief, has committed yet another act of state terrorism by shelling peaceful residents, aiming to kill and destroy. This Kremlin tyrant and his accomplices once again affirm the words of Scripture that fittingly apply to them: ‘You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him’ (John 8:44)," noted Metropolitan Epifaniy, the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
"We express gratitude to our defenders, especially the anti-aircraft defense forces, for their service and bless them! May God assist you in all things so that the malicious intentions of the Russian terrorist empire do not succeed. Let the punishment of God fall upon those who repeatedly deploy their instruments of death in Ukrainian cities," he continued.
"We pray and beseech (Psalm 63):
‘Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer; preserve my life from fear of the enemy. Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked, from the rebellion of the workers of iniquity.
They sharpen their tongues like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the blameless; suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear.
They encourage themselves in an evil matter; they talk of laying snares secretly; they say, ‘Who will see them?’ ...But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they shall be wounded. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves; all who see them shall flee away. And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider His doing.’ God Almighty, the Only One, protect Ukraine!"
"Sick criminal ruscists have once again resorted to what they do best - destroy and kill," emphasized Fr Petro Balog, Director of the Institute of Religious Studies of St. Thomas Aquinas of the Roman Catholic Church in Kyiv.
"When Russian rockets, drones, and daggers fly, I pray for three things: for the Lord to help our defenders intercept all that deadly impurity (rockets, Shahids, and a dagger’s blow is something else), for assistance to services in eliminating the consequences (extinguishing, clearing, treating), and for the miracle of witnessing the downfall of the Russian political and military system (possessed by the satanic spirit of stealing, killing, destroying)," fervently prayed Senior Pastor Mykola Romanyuk of the Irpin Bible Church.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, based on preliminary results, the enemy used 99 means of aerial attack - missiles of various types.
Through the efforts and resources of the Air Force, in coordination with units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, 72 aerial targets were destroyed:
- 10 out of 10 aeroballistic missiles X-47M2 "Kinjal";
- 59 out of 70 cruise missiles X-101/X-555/X-55;
- 3 out of 3 cruise missiles "Caliber."
According to preliminary data, as a result of this attack by Russian aggressors on peaceful cities in Ukraine, 4 people were killed, and a minimum of 92 were injured