WCC calls for stop to attacks on Ukraine, urges dialogue not violence
As Russia launched a mass attack on Ukrainian cities overnight on 28 August killing 18, including children, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay called for a stop to attacks on Ukraine, and urged dialogue not violence.
“The World Council of Churches is appalled by Russia’s escalation of attacks impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine,” Pillay said. “Last night Russia launched a large-scale aerial strike on Ukrainian cities, attacking Kyiv and regions far from the front lines.”
It is reported that at least 18 people have been killed in Kyiv, including three children ages 2, 14, and 17. “According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia launched 598 drones overnight, including Shahed attack drones and decoys, as well as 31 missiles, among them ballistic and cruise missiles,” said Pillay. “While the people of Ukraine and many in the international community have been hoping and praying for signs of an end to this terrible conflict, Russia has exponentially increased its drone and missile attacks in recent months.”
Pillay noted that President Putin seems intent on destroying hopes for peace. “The WCC calls on him to stop these attacks and the death and destruction they cause, to engage seriously in dialogue, and to bring Russia’s illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine to an end,” Pillay said.