By Thomas Scaria
Mangaluru, Oct 6, 2022: An Indian Catholic nun involved in rehabilitation of war victims in Ukraine has sent prayer requests as the country is under the shadow of a nuclear war.
Sister Ligi Payyappilly, who has been working in Ukraine for the past two decades, sent a video message from her convent in Mukachevo, western Ukraine, that the country needs more prayer support from the world as they now face a nuclear threat.
“It is seven months since the war started and it is still continuing, which shows Russian President Putin is not in a mood to accept failures,” said the member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Saint Marc.
According to UN estimates, around 6.6 million people have become refugees in other countries, and around 7 million are displaced in their own country. Another 13 million people are trapped in the war hit areas.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia has declared annexing four provinces of Ukraine in the Russian boarder to Russia, which evoked much resistance from Ukraine. This has evoked serious response from the US and the European countries and Ukraine has intensified its request for NATO membership.
Sister Payyappilly fears “it could be a step toward to using nuclear weapons on Ukraine citizens, when Ukraine responds with more aggressive resistance.”
She said they had received an alarm from the president of Ukraine to be vigilant and get ready for a possible nuclear attack by the Russians.
Russia possesses an estimated 6,300 nuclear warheads as of 2022, the largest stockpile of nuclear warheads in the world.
A single nuclear weapon can destroy a city and kill most of its people. Casualties from a major nuclear war between the US and Russia would reach hundreds of millions around the globe.
“Russia initially thought they can control Ukraine easily. But it did not happen”, observed Sister Payyappilly, and this frustration has provoked Putin to hit a nuclear war. At the same time, Ukraine is also not willing to surrender, she said.
“Our president has informed us that Russia could attack us with a nuclear war. If you get an alarm, get into bunkers and stay there for minimum three days,” said the nun in her prayer request. “The people are living in fear, tension, anxieties,” she added.
Pope Francis expressed strong objections to the annexing of part of Ukraine into Russia during his Sunday address in Vatican and requested Putin to avoid such a move.
Meanwhile, US has pledged an assistance to Ukraine worth US$625 million as well as arms and ammunition.