Russia destroyed the House of the gospel Baptist church in the Ukranian city of Zaporizhzhia, during an evening worship service on April 16.

The embassy of Ukraine in the U.S. said in a public statement that at least one person was killed and eight others were injured.

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“This is a deliberate attack on people of faith, those who gathered peacefully to pray”, they added.

The church confirmed in its social media that the deceased was its pastor, Ruslan Utyuzh, and asked for help to supoort his wife and children.

Former member of the Ukrainian parliament, Pavel Unguryan, told news website Baptist Standard, that several church leaders were inside the building during the attack.

He also explained that the House of the gospel church was “a beautiful place of prayer, built over many years”, with “the finances and strength” of its over 300 members.

Rebuilding works

Right after the attack, the leadership of the church invited members and friends to join them in the cleaning of the territory of the prayer house that was destroyed.

They asked for help both around the building and inside the premises. “Every pair of hands matters, together we can do so much more”, said one of the church leaders.

They were able to hold a Sunday service aoutside the premises.

A call to pray for peace

Elijah Brown, general secretary and CEO of the Baptist World Alliance, condemned “the ongoing targeting of churches, and places of worship”, which “must come to an immediate stop”.

He called on Christians to “pray for the families that were killed and the establishment of a just peace, which will only be possible as all of us continue to advocate for an immediate, and just cessation”.

“Putin is trying to strip communities of the faith”

The producer of A Faith Under Siege, a documentary series on Russia’s persecution of Christians, Colby Barrett told US news website, Baptist Press that the attack “wasn’t an accident” nor “an isolated incident”, because churches in Ukraine are not just places of worship, but also “lifelines for their communities, providing humanitarian aid and a sense of hope”.

“That is exactly why they are being targeted. Putin is not just trying to destroy buildings; he is trying to strip communities of the faith and support systems that keep them standing”, he added.

Kate Akers, of Mission Eurasia (ME), also told Baptist Press that churches like the House of the gospel are often attacked “when they are serving their communities in times of crisis”.

According to Barrett, Russia has already killed at least 58 priests and pastors and damaged or destroyed over 700 churches across Ukraine.