As a result of a nighttime Russian air attack on the Kyiv region, a prayer house belonging to the Source of Hope evangelical church in the village of Kolentsi was damaged. Burning debris from a drone pierced the roof and floor of the building, though total destruction was avoided.
Source: Local congregation of the Source of Hope church
Strike on a prayer house in the village of Kolentsi
During another wave of Russian drone attacks, fragments of a downed UAV fell directly onto the prayer house of the Source of Hope evangelical congregation of the Ukrainian Church of Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostal) in the village of Kolentsi, Kyiv region.
According to eyewitnesses, the drone’s engine was still burning at the moment of impact. It punched through the roof and internal flooring of the building, but a fire did not break out. The loud sound of the drone being intercepted was heard throughout the village, and one elderly church member witnessed a fireball falling near the church.
Building survived despite high fire risk
The incident occurred overnight from Saturday to Sunday. The following day, a member of the congregation came to clean the prayer house and discovered a hole in the roof. After inspecting the interior, he immediately informed the pastor about the damage.
Emergency responders later assessed that, given the nature of the damage and the presence of a burning engine with a propeller, the building should have caught fire completely. However, this did not happen.
Pastor: we see this as God’s protection
Pastor Maksym Domkin of the Source of Hope church said the congregation views the preservation of the building as a sign of God’s protection:
“From a human perspective, this is difficult to explain. The engine still had a propeller, and the damage should have been far more severe. But the Lord preserved our church. We are grateful to God for His protection,” the pastor emphasized.
Congregation continues worship services
Restoration work is currently underway at the prayer house. Despite the damage, the congregation has not suspended its spiritual life and plans to hold a worship service in the building as early as this coming Sunday.
The pastor also asked for prayer support:
“We ask for prayers for our church, that the Lord would help us restore the building and grant us strength, wisdom, and the necessary resources for continued ministry.”
War against civilians and religious communities
The damage to the prayer house in Kolentsi is yet another example of how Russian aggression affects civilian infrastructure and religious sites across Ukraine. At the same time, for the local congregation, this incident has become a testimony of hope, faith, and the conviction that even in times of war, the Church remains under God’s care.
