Landmine Explosion Kills Children

This past fall, the Deutsche Welle news service reported that three teenaged schoolchildren lost their lives in a landmine explosion in eastern Ukraine’s conflict zone. The three boys were aged 13 to 15, and accidently stepped on the mine. A fourth child—a 10-year-old boy—was wounded by shrapnel and treated in a nearby hospital.

Ivan Prikhodko, who serves as mayor in the town
of Horlivka, said that the youths had found an abandoned house and were just “looking for adventure.” The mayor added that landmines are a constant issue in his region and something that they will be facing for some time to come.

This tragedy did not gain many headlines here in North America, but such violence is a daily reality for the people of eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian evangelical churches we serve continue to send Compassion Ministry teams led by missionary pastors into this dangerous region. As they continue to distribute much-needed food and other humanitarian aid, pray for the safety of these teams. Also please pray for additional resources to supply them, as well as for continued openings for the Gospel to bring the peace of Christ to shattered lives.