During the massive Russian attack on the night of 18-19 November, the town of Ternopil in western Ukraine was heavily bombed. The attack caused casualties, many injuries and extensive damage to residential buildings and infrastructure. Together with the emergency services, the Greek Catholic Church immediately intervened to provide emergency assistance to those affected by the tragedy. In an interview with Vatican media, Archbishop Theodore Martynyuk described how priests, chaplains and volunteers are helping the injured and displaced residents.
Vatican News
Russia launched more than 470 drones and 48 missiles of various types during the night of November 18-19. The explosions were reported by residents of several regions - Kharkiv, Ternopil, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk. The first explosions in Ternopil occurred around 6:30 local time. One of the city's districts was enveloped in thick smoke. During the morning, severe damage was confirmed: two nine-storey residential buildings were hit, 25 people died - including three children, 73 people were injured (including 15 minors), over 200 houses were destroyed or seriously damaged. The authorities estimate that there are approximately 500,000 people without shelter in the regions affected by the attack. Police, firefighters, doctors and other forces are working on the scene. Rescue and clearance work is ongoing.
The Church alongside the suffering
Greek Catholic Archbishop Theodore Martynyuk, Metropolitan of Ternopil-Zboriv, arrived at the site of the attack with priests to pray for the dead, encourage the survivors and provide spiritual support. In an interview, he said, „The priests of our eparchy, especially the chaplains, are helping the injured who have been taken to hospital. Caritas Ternopil has set up a humanitarian centre on the site, and another is operating in a neighbouring Greek Catholic parish.“ The archbishop also confirmed that people who have lost their homes are finding refuge in various church facilities. Others will be received at the Marian Shrine of Zarvanytsia, which has been sheltering many displaced families since the beginning of the war. „We are trying to provide everything necessary so that people have a place to keep warm and have something to eat. This morning it was three degrees below zero. I ask everyone to pray for the victims and for those who have lost families, homes or are still waiting for news of the missing,“ Archbishop Martynyuk added. At the same time, he called for prayer vigils to be held in all Greek Catholic churches in the region for the victims of the attack.
Other consequences
The attack damaged not only residential houses, but also industrial buildings and warehouses. The regional administration said the bombing resulted in a six-fold increase in the concentration of chlorine in the air. Residents were also warned of possible power outages.
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