By Koen Carlier and Anemone Rüger
Europe's largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, remains under Russian control in the Russian-occupied territory of Energodar. Reports indicate that it has been partially mined. The plant is located on the southern bank of the mighty Dnieper River, directly opposite the city of Nikopol and about 40 kilometers from the major city of Zaporizhzhia. When a withdrawal of Russian troops was announced a few weeks ago, the region was placed on high alert. At the same time, the Jewish community sent an appeal for help to the Christian Support Initiative (CSI) on the ground.
“Everywhere, people were practicing for an emergency. Schools had mapped out escape routes. Teachers were advised to sew padded masks as a precaution. Pharmacies were sold out of iodine; there were no more train tickets from Zaporizhzhia,” reports Jelena, our contact person in the local Jewish community. “That’s when we asked Koen for help. He and his team performed miracles. Within a very short time, he had the logistics for an evacuation in place. In this dangerous situation, he personally came with the large CSI bus and several minibuses.”
On the way there, the team of Christians supporting Israel, led by Koen Carlier, had loaded food bags for the Jewish community; on the way back, they carried the precious cargo of the evacuees.
“First, we evacuated the people from Nikopol. Only the river separates them from the power plant,” Jelena continued. “Among them was an elderly couple, Roman and his wife, who had lived through the Second World War. We had offered them help many times before. But only now was their need so great that they left their familiar home.”
“We’ve been through a lot, but this time it was simply too much,” says 83-year-old Roman. “In Nikopol, we had a direct view of the power plant from our window. Sleep was out of the question. But we couldn’t have left on our own. And then help came from you! So quickly! And with so much heart! We never could have dreamed of it.”
Evacuation to less vulnerable areas and hope of return
Some of the passengers were housed in other cities in the region, others in western Ukraine. At the CSI emergency shelter, they were able to rest and recharge under the loving care of the team. Most hope to be able to return to their homes permanently. But for some, the evacuation will become an aliyah with a one-way ticket to Israel.
"It's incredible what Koen and his team have accomplished!" says manager Jelena. "Knowing that we're not alone, that you, our friends, are standing shoulder to shoulder with us through this difficult time, gives us the strength to keep going. We are so grateful to you!"
Any city can be hit at any time. Eastern Ukraine is under the heaviest attack, but the Black Sea coast and the north of the country also suffer frequent, sometimes daily, attacks due to their geographical proximity to Russia. Other cities inland are also being shelled with rockets; the number of victims is rising daily.
Our team remains on site – trusting in God's protection and supported by many prayers. The next evacuation request could come at any moment.
Would you help us bring members of the Jewish communities to safety from the embattled cities of southern and eastern Ukraine? Everydonation helps! (Donation purpose: SOS Ukraine)
