Russia's war on Ukraine and its persistent advances to take over Ukraine have caused Poland and the Baltic states to draw a line in the sand. In a Defending Baltics Conference on Friday, Polish Chief of General Staff Raimund Andrzejczak said that if Russia crosses the border into Poland or any of the Baltic states, there would be an "immediate response," according to The New Voice of Ukraine.
Andrzejczak specified that within the "first minute" of such an advance, the allies would "strike directly at St. Petersburg," as well as any strategic assets within a 300-kilometer radius.
Russia Unlikely to Stop with Ukraine Invasion
Based on Russia's historical track record and the fact that it once occupied Lithuania, the rest of the Baltic states, and several other countries, Presidential National Security Advisor Kęstutis Budrys believes Russia has no intention of stopping with Ukraine.
In more recent history, Russia attacked the country of Georgia 16 years ago this past August. Russia still has not withdrawn from the territory it presently occupies in Georgia in spite of the 2008 ceasefire agreement and U.S. demands. Georgians living in that territory are subjected to Russian rule in their own country despite U.S. demands for Russia to withdraw, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Russia began its full invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022. The Russian Orthodox Church approved a document in the same month in which it declared President Vladimir Putin's invasion of the Ukraine was a "Holy War," according to Newsweek.
The document was part of a congressional meeting of the World Russian People's Council. The meeting was held at Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Those in attendance included many of Russia's religious, political, and cultural figures. Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and the council, is also a Putin ally.
The document referred to Ukrainians who were defending themselves and their country as "forces of evil." It also claimed that Russia's goal in connection to the war was "protecting the world from the onslaught of globalism and the victory of the West, which has fallen into Satanism."
Russia's Persecution of Ukrainian Christians
There has been a great deal of persecution of Christians since this conflict started. Pulitzer Center special correspondent Simon Ostrovsky and videographer Yegor Troyanovsky went to Ukraine and reported what they saw, heard, and found back to PBS.
There's too much detail to lay it all out here, but to summarize:
- Russian soldiers shut down places of worship that went against Putin's agenda.
- Soldiers are threatening to kill Christians and anyone else who is against Putin's agenda.
- Christians who have not left the country gather in secret in private homes because they fear meeting publically.
- Christians are accused of being an extremist organization, German spies, American spies, and armed resistance cells, even though there aren't any weapons found in homes or churches.
- Russian Security Services are attempting to force Christians and others to publically pledge loyalty to Russia. If they refuse to pledge allegiance, they're threatened with violence.
Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, told VOA News (Voice of America) that since Russia's invasion, 39 priests, pastors, and monks have been killed, and 640 places of worship and theological schools have been destroyed, damaged or looted.
"The Russian Orthodox Church is not a mere observer of religious persecution in Ukraine. It is President Vladimir Putin's partner," said Catherine Wanner, a professor of history, anthropology, and religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
The ISW Press (Institute for the Study of War) suggests that there are really only two options regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict: either the U.S. can continue assisting Ukraine with military aid to stabilize the front lines and current locations, or it can pull out and allow the Russians to completely overtake Ukraine, in which case other countries have already declared they will take immediate action.
Christian Leaders and Various Groups Lobby Washington
Ukrainian officials, war veterans, civil society leaders, and business representatives have visited Washington and spoken to their Congressmen and Congresswomen about providing support for Ukraine. They have warned that if the Russia wins the war, that it will open the door for a serious threat to Western democracy and America's national security, according to RFERL (Radio Free Europe Radio Library).
Evangelical Protestant leaders have also been speaking up on behalf of Ukraine and the violations of religious freedom that have plagued the country. However, U.S. voters are pushing their representatives to focus more on high inflation, the economy, and immigration at home. Basically, the atrocities taking place in the Russia-Ukraine war and the profound national security threat of not providing support to Ukraine are being underreported in mainstream media.
Timothy Rabinek, Field Representative in Poland for The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, said in his blog, "...I saw the panic in Poland when Russian troops entered Ukraine. Some stockpiled supplies and fuel. Others prepared to leave the country, anticipating that Poland would be invaded next..."
He further noted that Israel has been a supporter of Ukraine in the Russia-Ukraine conflict because of concerns about how that conflict could eventually impact the Middle East. Israel's support of the Ukraine has led to Russia purchasing weapons from Iran, straining the relationship between Israel and Russia.
China is also selling war components and technology to Russia, which Russia then uses to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft, and other weapons, according to PBS. Though China has repeatedly denied sending military equipment to Russia, the Ukrainian military is finding an increasing amount of Chinese components and technology in Russian weapons, according to Reuters. The only response the U.S. has had to this is to increase sanctions.
Though it's unclear if the Russia-Ukraine war could lead to a larger conflict that many connect with Ezekiel 38 in the Bible's Old Testament, Rabinek suggests the potential exists. Look up! Our redemption is drawing near!
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/e-crow
Elizabeth Delaney has been a freelance content writer for over 20 years and has enjoyed having her prose published in both the non-fiction and fiction markets. She has written various types of content, including Christian articles, healthy lifestyle, blog posts, business topics, news articles, product descriptions, and some fiction. She is also a singer-songwriter-musician. When she is not busy with writing or music, she enjoys spending time with friends or family and doing fun social activities such as hiking, swing dancing, concerts, and other activities.