On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, starting a war that has caused widespread devastation and forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their homeland. 

For The Salvation Army, the past year has been a time of ongoing front-line ministry—especially in Ukraine and the surrounding countries, but also in Canada and around the world.

As we mark the one-year anniversary of the conflict, these reflections offer three unique perspectives on the war and the Army’s response:

• From Captain Svetlana Bochkareva, a Salvation Army officer still serving in Kharkiv, Ukraine
• From Anastasiia Adelson, a Ukrainian refugee who was helped by the Army in Victoria and is now an employee, helping others like herself
• From Debbie Clarke, a Canadian Salvationist who deployed to Romania and served Ukrainian refugees there for two months

A Time of Grace in a War-Torn Territory
by Captain Svetlana Bochkareva

Captain Svetlana Bochkareva is the corps officer at Pesochin, a suburb in Kharkiv, Eastern Ukraine, only 40 kilometres from the Russian border. This city has suffered relentless missile strikes, drone attacks and shelling since Russia invaded Ukraine. Critical infrastructure has been destroyed, and much of the city lies in ruins. Thousands of civilians have fled the city, and thousands more have been killed and injured. On the first night of the war, Captain Bochkareva opened the corps as a bomb shelter. She continued to lead services there on Sundays, like many other officers in their buildings across the country.

Captain Svetlana shared some of her story, translated below, during the visit of General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, World President of Women’s Ministries, to the Army’s Eastern Europe Territory in the fall.

I have been serving God as a Salvation Army officer for 14 years. In every period of my life, the Lord reveals a special word for me. For now, he has brought Isaiah 55:11: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Now there is a war in Ukraine. A terrible period, even if you are not personally experiencing it. A period that requires faith and courage. But these words of God tell me this is still a time of grace. And God’s word will not return empty.

People are confused at this time in Ukraine, and many have lost everything. They look for someone or something to believe in, or they turn away from everything. And we can offer the One who came to save them. Sometimes, when the rockets fly, and people are impacted, it’s hard to know how to help them. But God is showing me, and his love continues to work through us to people who are hurting and don’t know whom to trust. We can offer genuine help and love. People can trust us.

On the day the war began, I opened the basement of our corps building as a bomb shelter and for those who had already been bombed. People were afraid, distressed and crying. Children sobbed. They needed shelter. And although I knew that this basement could become a common grave, I opened it, hoping that God would provide. We had a warm place to sleep, and we had water and food. The building quickly filled.

I knew that no amount of trying to calm people would help. Fear and horror filled their souls and consciousness. So, although I have hearing problems, I began to do what my spirit wanted—I began to sing. I hoped that fear and doubt did not show in my eyes and voice. 

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see …

I continued to sing the entire song, and I saw how people calmed down, despite the shaking building, and the children fell asleep. Instead of focusing on the bombs, they focused on the love of God.Worship did not stop. We studied the Bible and prayed. We took care of the children. We hugged them and cried with them. We told them about the God who loves them and would help them return to this place and rebuild their lives.

God’s word will be fulfilled and will not return empty.

We fed people and gave them water. We went out between the air-raid sirens to find more food, water and toilet paper. And sometimes, we did not have time to return to the bomb shelter before the next siren sounded.

More than anything, faith and courage are needed when people talk about their grief and the terrible things they are going through. Their words sometimes made me want to scream in despair. But you listen and repeat to yourself, “God’s word is being fulfilled.” Hug and cry with them. And then you start talking, and you talk about the One who can bring them comfort, about meeting him, about his Kingdom and about love, because this is what they really need.

And you do it because “God’s word is being fulfilled.” And thank God there is still time for grace.

Reprinted from The Salvation Army Eastern Europe Territory. Read more about the Eastern Europe Territory's response over the past year in this situation report.

Ukrainian Refugee Once Helped by The Salvation Army Now Supports Others
by Juan Romero

Based on her calm and easygoing demeanour, you wouldn’t imagine that Anastasiia Adelson had faced so many obstacles this past year. Yet, despite the challenges she encountered, Anastasiia has managed to start a new life and now works with The Salvation Army helping others in need.

“When I first arrived in Victoria, I asked around about places where I could go to for help and most people said The Salvation Army. They provided me with groceries and clothing vouchers when I first got here. They were so friendly and kind,” she says.

The Russian occupation of her home nation of Ukraine forced Anastasiia to move abroad and start from scratch. She initially spent three months in Germany and Poland. However, she soon felt she needed to leave Europe, in fear that the war could expand across the continent. In August 2022, Anastasiia arrived in Canada.

While still settling in her new home, Anastasiia found a passion for helping others thanks to The Salvation Army, who helped her get on her feet. During one of her visits, Anastasiia heard that they were hiring for a caseworker position. She applied and got the job. Anastasiia now enjoys helping individuals and families in need at the Next Steps Resource Centre, a ministry of Victoria Citadel.

“I am so glad that I can now help people. I am so happy to work for The Salvation Army. I thank the staff every day for hiring me,” she says.

Working at The Salvation Army has not only helped Anastasiia fulfil her passion for helping people, but it has also allowed her to meet new friends and assist fellow Ukrainians who are choosing Canada as their new home.

“I can’t imagine another place where I would want to work,” she says. “I would love to stay at The Salvation Army. I am so happy in this position.”

Light and Hope
by Debbie Clarke

Listen to Debbie’s full testimony on the Salvationist podcast.

When I received the call asking me to deploy to Romania for two months, I have to admit I had mixed emotions. What would I be doing? Was it going to be safe? But I prayed about it and decided that if this was where God wanted me, then I would be obedient. 

The current base of operations for The Salvation Army’s services for Ukrainian refugees in Bucharest is the Romexpo exhibition centre. Before we even opened the doors in the morning, there was already a line of people waiting. Once inside, the individuals received a tag, which gave them access to all services that are provided in the building. While I was there, we were seeing an average of 1,000 people a day. 

During my deployment, I was primarily involved with registering refugees and giving out vouchers. One day, a woman came to register and she seemed a little upset and overwhelmed. I whispered a prayer as she came over to me. I began to enter her information, including her children’s ages and birthdates, and soon realized these were her grandchildren, aged three, six and nine—almost the same ages as my grandchildren. My heart broke. During the registration process, she started to cry, so I handed her a tissue, put my hand on hers, and said, “It’s OK. Take your time.” And together, we got through everything. After I finished registering her, she put her hand on mine and she said, “Spasibo,” which means “thank you.” It took everything in me not to cry. Can you imagine as a grandparent, taking your children’s children, going to a new country alone, and not knowing what the future held? A week or so later, I was at my desk at Romexpo and I saw her again. She waved at me and said, “Spasibo, spasibo.” I will never forget those words. 

Another day, I was sitting with a new Ukrainian friend, and she needed a Band-Aid. So I reached in my backpack and grabbed my pouch of Band-Aids. Reading the words on the pouch, “Giving Hope Today,” she replied, “That’s what we need—hope. We need hope today.” As it turned out, the day and night before there had been bombing, and they didn’t know if their families were safe. They needed hope. Home and family and the trauma of separation and flight from war were on the minds of every refugee. We hugged and I assured her of our prayers. I told her that my family and my church back in Canada were praying for them also. I soon realized this is where God wanted me. I needed to be a friend, to listen, to be a shoulder to cry on, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I couldn’t stop the war, but I could journey with the individuals God put in my path. 

Love is a universal language, and I believe that if I show love and compassion, people will see Christ in me. Did I mess up some days showing that love? Of course—I’m only human. But every night I would pray and ask for strength to be a light during this very dark time. I asked for opportunity to bring hope during a very hopeless situation. I asked for strength and courage to be Christlike. I feel very privileged that God would give me this opportunity. I believe I was a witness to many people, whether refugees or workers who crossed my path. And I pray that the seeds I planted will be grown by the help of other Christians along the way. 

Was it hard? Yes. Some days were lonely, others were frustrating. But the blessings I received during my time in Romania far outweighed the hard times. I was blessed beyond measure.

Debbie Clarke is a senior soldier at Winnipeg’s Heritage Park Temple and an emergency disaster services specialist in the Prairie Division.