Ukraine: War coming back to Russia
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned war is coming back to Russia after drone attacks on the capital Moscow. Mr Zelensky said attacks on Russian territory were an ‘inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process’ of the war between the two countries. Russia's defence ministry said three Ukrainian drones were downed on Sunday, with two crashing into offices. Vnukovo Airport, near Moscow, was briefly shut. In a video address Mr Zelensky said that Ukraine was getting stronger. ‘Today is the 522nd day of the so-called Special Military Operation, which the Russian leadership thought would last a couple of weeks,’ he said. "Gradually, the war is returning to Russian territory - to its symbolic centres and military bases; an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process.’ Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said again on the 30th July that Moscow would have to use a nuclear weapon if Kyiv's ongoing counter-offensive was a success.
Ukraine: Female front line fighters
Ukrainian women are signing up in growing numbers to defend their country. There are 60,000 females fighting Russia - amidst strong Ukrainian sexist attitudes. 42,000+ have military positions with 5,000 on the front line. Andriana is a Ukrainian special unit sergeant preparing to return to the front line. Many Russian texts and videos report Andriana’s ‘death’ in graphic detail. ‘They published that I died with no legs or hands.’ says Andriana. ‘They are propaganda professionals.’ Female troops also face battles of sexist attitudes within their own ranks. Ukrainian society has a strong opinion that girls join the army to find a husband. Andriana says women have also told her about cases of physical abuse. We can't imagine the scale as few female soldiers will discuss this, so Andriana co-founded Ukrainian Women Veterans Movement, which campaigns for equal rights for female military personnel, and for reforming Ukrainian army legislation to bring it in line with NATO's.
Hundreds pray for the UK in Trafalgar Square
On 29th July, Kingdom Impact Vision International (KIVI), the London Prayer and Worship Festival brought together hundreds of Christians from several denominations to intercede for revival in the UK, to worship and evangelise in Trafalgar Square. The event was preceded by evangelistic outreach in various surrounding areas. Gospel Singer Noel Robison led worship as well as performances from the Neema Choir from Uganda and the Spanish Community Choir. KIVI Ministries has organised similar events in towns across the UK, such as Margate, Walsall and Birmingham. They will also be joining Franklin Graham's evangelistic event in London on 26th August.
24/7 Prayer in Taiwan
Rising tensions between China and Taiwan have reached a critical juncture. Taiwan faces almost daily Chinese military harassment. As concerns rise, Taiwan's Christians are taking to their knees. A prayer movement has united believers across Taiwan, inspiring 40,000+ revival prayer groups, including participants from China's underground churches. Each group has about 5 members, so the current total is about 200,000 participants. People meet 24/7 to pray for revival, unity, repentance, and protection over Taiwan, trusting that, through prayer, miracles happen, and a pathway to peace can be found. Rev. Peter Yang has pastored and planted churches in Taiwan since 1978 and he's never seen the kind of unity now on display. ‘Every day, every week, I join pastors from other churches, other denominations, and we pray for our cities, for our nation, for other countries. It's amazing, it's clearly God's doing. Unity will be the legacy of this movement.’
