Another tragic night for Kyiv and Ukraine, during which the Kremlin tyrant's frenzied servants committed yet more crimes against humanity. The result: civilian casualties, many wounded, destroyed and damaged homes.
This was written by the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on social media X in response to the massive shelling of Ukraine by Russian aggressors on the night of June 17, according to Metropolitan Yevstratiy (Zoria).
"Enemies and even some allies wonder: Why is Ukraine resisting? Why does it not agree to Russia's demands to prevent such nights from occurring again? The answer to this question is simple and obvious for Ukrainians: we do not wish, nor do we have the right, to allow our country and our people to be subjected to nights of terror, destruction, and murder — something we have endured for decades," notes His Beatitude Epifaniy.
A hundred years ago, Ukraine was occupied by the Kremlin's red gangs, leading to immense suffering for the Ukrainian people throughout the 20th century until the fall of the Soviet Union, which was a prison of nations. Millions of Ukrainian lives were taken or irreparably harmed by Kremlin tyranny, through events like the Holodomor genocide, waves of repression, and totalitarian rule where human rights and dignity were disregarded. We do not want, nor do we have the right, to let the Russian empire of evil continue its night of terror for decades to come!
From the testimonies of those who survived Russian occupation and captivity — illustrated by the examples of Bucha, Mariupol, Bakhmut, Izium, and many other cities and villages that fell under Russian control — we clearly understand that complying with Russian demands leads to terror, slavery, destruction, and death for Ukrainians. Therefore, in order to secure a future and true peace for itself, Europe, and all of humanity, Ukraine is resisting. It asks and demands that the civilized world help stop the terrorist Kremlin regime, thwart its plans to destroy Ukraine, end the daily Russian crimes against humanity, and punish the criminals."
According to official data, on the night of June 17, Russian terrorists launched 472 missiles and strike drones at Ukraine, of which 428 were intercepted by air defense forces. Enemy hits were recorded in 10 locations, and debris fell in 34 areas. As of 10:40 a.m. today, the number of civilian casualties in Kyiv has risen to 15, with a total of 114 people injured, 68 of whom have been hospitalized.
In Odesa, 17 people were injured as a result of the shelling, including a pregnant woman and a 17-year-old girl, and one person was killed.
The Primate of the OCU urges believers to pray Psalm 63 for protection against the enemy: