Ukraine: Kyiv talks mask worsening conditions on the ground

Firefighters at block of flats hit by Russian drone recently. . Image: Vatican Media

Source: CAFOD, Vatican Media

The temporary pause in air strikes over Kyiv this weekend masked worsening conditions for communities on the ground, says CAFOD.

Henry Wilson-Smith, CAFOD's Acting Emergency Programme Manager for Ukraine says: "As Ukrainians approach a fifth winter of war, Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure have increased dramatically. Across the country people are exhausted, as they attempt to go about their lives under constant attack.

"Just last week, Kyiv faced seven straight days of bombardment, while missile and drone strikes killed and wounded more civilians in July than in any month over the last four years.

"Amid worsening conditions, CAFOD is continuing to support those worst-affected prepare for the bitterly cold months ahead. In frontline areas our partner organisations are helping single-mothers and their children to access essential supplies; repairing windows blown out by missile blasts and distributing heaters, blankets, and power banks for the upcoming winter."

Pope Leo XIV once again renewed his calls for an end to violence in Ukraine, and laments the "violent attacks that have recently struck various cities and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, causing the deaths of innocent people.

Russia has increased strikes on Ukraine, including on civilian targets, throughout the summer. In recent weeks, more Russian air attacks have been hitting their targets as Ukraine is running critically low on Western supplied air defence systems such as the Patriot surface-to-air missile defence system.

In the past few days, dozens of people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Ukraine by Russian missile and drone attacks. Although Russia claims strikes are aimed at military targets, recent attacks have left apartment buildings, private homes, and public transit routes in major population centres in ruins.

In his remarks following the Angelus on Sunday Pope Leo said: "My heart goes out to the suffering of the people, who have been living in distress and fear for years."

He renewed once again his appeal "to end the violence and halt the destruction, and to open hearts to dialogue, and peace."

In a reference to the latest visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner the Holy Father expressed his hope that "the efforts being made in recent days to resume negotiations will bear concrete fruit and pave the way for diplomacy."

Pope Leo concluded his remarks by calling for prayers "that harmony may prevail in all the conflicts of the world."

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, at least 5.9 million people have fled abroad to escape the conflict and another 3.7 million people are internally displaced.

Leaving behind their homes, jobs and loved ones, Ukrainians urgently need shelter, food and water. More than 11 million people, or nearly one out of every three Ukrainians, require humanitarian aid.

To support CAFOD's work in Ukraine see: https://cafod.org.uk/give/donate-to-emergencies/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal