On a Sunday morning, Russia destroys Pentecostal worship place in Kramatorsk

On Sunday 18 October, a Russian military attack destroyed the “Good News” church building in Kramatorsk, a well-known Pentecostal congregation in this city north west of Donetsk (eastern Ukraine).

“The congregation, led by Pastor Viktor Pavenko, who has served the city for over 30 years, has been a centre of spiritual and humanitarian support and a refuge for many thousands of people”, explained a leader of this local church in a message published on the website of the Ukrainian Church of Christians of the Evangelical Faith.

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Although the attack took place at around 11 am on a Sunday, the missile caused no victims, according to reports from the ground.

“Having received a warning of a high risk of a targeted strike on the church, the premises had not been used since Saturday morning. This helped to avoid numerous casualties, as the guided air-to-ground bomb strike was carried out at a time when services were being held in the churches”.

This same church, known for distributing food during the war and with a strong base of volunteers who have served the city since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, had already suffered a military attack in June 2026.

On that occasion, three shells damaged the roof and shattered the windows.

“This time, the damage is total,” say the sources. Images shared on social media show the extent of the destruction.

Since the start of the full-scale war, the church had become “a humanitarian centre where food, water and hot meals were distributed, and where psychological and spiritual support was always available”, they explain.

Russia has attacked numerous evangelical churches in Ukraine since the start of the war.

At its international meeting in October, the European Evangelical Alliance paid tribute to the resilience, courage and work for hope of Ukraine’s evangelical churches, presenting them with the ‘Hope for Europe’ award.