Some are starting to float the idea that perhaps, Ukraine should cut its losses, and make a deal with Russia. Just give up the Donbass region and they can be at peace again. I won’t detail the political motives for these suggestions, but as I write this, Kherson has just been recaptured by Ukraine, and is pushing ahead in other areas as well, making this plan a horrible idea for Ukraine.
Russia took Crimea in 2014 crippling the Ukrainian economy. If Ukraine were to hand over Donbass, which is a mining area key to the economy of Ukraine, they would have less to build their own defenses with, and Russia would likely recuperate and invade again. This is one of a number of reasons Ukraine considers this a win-or-die-trying situation.
Christians also are feeling the same level of dedication for their Christian family in the Donbass region, not necessarily in the sense of human warfare, but in giving everything they have to help people in those areas
So that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26
Taras comes from a big family of eleven children. This is large for an American family, but in a land of less wealth, every family we knew had one or two children, so a family of thirteen would be unheard of. Eight of the children are from the same family. Three of the children were from a different father. Due to the alcoholism that plagues so many families in Ukraine, at the age of six it was finally determined that his parents could not care for them. The children were sent to different homes, and he lost contact with almost all of his siblings.
Taras had a tragic beginning like so many in children’s homes in Ukraine. Fortunately, God holds these little ones in his hands. One day a Christian couple came to the orphanage and met Taras. They continued to go back and developed a relationship with him. When he was eight, they took him home with them, and he has been their son ever since. He affectionately calls them his parents. He says, “We are a family”, noting that his previous situation had little affection and safety of a home.
He became a Christian through the AmeriKraine camp when he was nineteen. Now, the youth minister of a small church on the outskirts of Kyiv, he shares preaching responsibilities with his foster father and a third gentleman.
Taras’s biological family is from Donetsk. He knows his brothers and sisters are probably still there, though he hasn’t kept in touch with them. This is concerning for him as he knows the fate of so many in that area since 2014. He cannot change many things, but he does what he can. Since the war started, he spends a total of around 20 hours a week on the road bringing relief to the Donbass region, an effort that is made easier by the fact that Taras is not married.
As winter approaches, needs are changing. One of Russia’s strategies has been to cut people off from heat, and electricity. Taras tries to meet those needs by bringing them batteries, flashlights and water, besides food and medicine.
Ukrainians have taken valuable ground from the Russians, but the explosions and sirens are constant. Taras said while there, two rockets shot past less than a hundred feet from him. He usually goes alone because it is extremely dangerous and he doesn’t want to endanger others. He describes the scene as he drives, broken homes, destruction is everywhere. So many people have nothing. Many of them give even when they have nothing to give. They just want their lives back. He takes risks others don’t because he says those are the people that need help. “If I die at home, I have not helped anyone. I would rather die while serving others.” Though the road is paved with his mother’s prayers.
As Russia attacks infrastructure, it has been harder for Donetsk to maintain contact with other churches through social media. Still, they have at least one way to get news to the outside: Taras. Often where you hear of the worst fighting in the east of Ukraine, that is where Taras is going. He is not ready to cut his losses. He is not willing to negotiate or surrender.
Often people want to know how to help. We know how inflation has affected us, but it is dramatically affecting the amount of food and the cost of transportation, making things more difficult for Taras. There are a number of ways to support his ministry. Some choose to give to him directly through paypal (tarasdanilenko64@gmail.com) You can also contact Jeff Abrams, an American preacher who has been supporting Taras and other Ukrainians.
Taras does not speak English, but you can follow his posts on Facebook here.