Russian shelling kills Adventist elder while distributing humanitarian aid in Mykolaiv region
On 25 November 2024, in the village of Solonchaky, Mykolaiv region, Russian troops opened fire during the distribution of humanitarian aid, killing the presbyter of the Adventist Church, Artur Kucheriavenko, and injuring six civilians, including his father, Pastor Vladislav Kucheriavenko.
Source: adventist.ua
Vladyslav and Artur Kucheriavenko, father and son Adventist ministers, were delivering coal to the villagers of Solonchaky to help them prepare for the winter season. It was during this mission that Russian forces launched a drone attack.
Due to the intense shelling, the doctors could not provide immediate assistance on the spot, so the wounded were taken to hospital. Pastor Vladyslav underwent surgery and is in serious condition. His son Artur, who was critically wounded, could not be saved.
Arthur Kucheryavenko served as an elder in the Adventist community of Mykolaiv. The Adventist Church in Ukraine expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and called for prayers for the recovery of the wounded.
This is not the first time that Russian aggression has caused losses among church ministers. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, dozens of religious leaders of various denominations have been killed and hundreds of churches and houses of worship destroyed.
The incident in Solonchaky was another example of attacks on humanitarian missions. Earlier, drones shelled an aid distribution point in Kharkiv region and a bread distribution site in Kherson region, where volunteers were also injured.
The Adventist Church continues to support the affected communities despite the threats to the lives of its ministers and volunteers.
