The winter season of 2025–2026 has been one of the most difficult since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. Amid ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure and prolonged power and heating outages, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ukraine has actively joined efforts to support thousands of Ukrainians affected by the crisis.

Due to regular shelling and the destruction of energy facilities, many regions across the country experience electricity and heating outages lasting 15–20 hours a day during the harsh winter months. Utility services and repair crews are working around the clock to gradually restore electricity and heat supply, while local and national authorities continue addressing daily challenges caused by the energy crisis.

Despite suffering their own losses, including damage to church buildings as a result of Russian aggression, Adventist congregations across Ukraine are making every effort to assist society and local communities. In various regions, church communities are organizing initiatives aimed at supporting internally displaced persons as well as local residents.

“Support Nearby”: Social and psychological assistance

For the second consecutive year, the nationwide initiative of the Adventist Church in Ukraine, Support Nearby continues its work. The project serves families of military personnel, low-income and large families, internally displaced persons, and others facing difficult life circumstances.

As part of the initiative, support groups operate according to a peer-to-peer self-help model. Participants receive psychological support from professionals and spiritual care from the church. Those in need are provided with food assistance, and participants may also select essential items from social clothing banks.

The church as a place of warmth and resilience

In response to widespread power outages, the Adventist Church has initiated the establishment of warming centers in church facilities across the country. Once congregations receive the necessary equipment, church buildings will serve as support hubs where local residents can warm up and recharge their electronic devices.

At least 50 warming centers are planned to open in church buildings. Some congregations are preparing to launch these centers in the near future, including in Novovolynsk, Zhovkva, Irshava and Tiachiv, Nizhyn, and Irpin.

As of the end of January 2026, several centers were already operating. In Tiachiv, the Adventist church building has been receiving internally displaced persons and local residents daily, providing food packages and device charging. Local pastor Taras Melnyk said the congregation plans to expand services.

In Dubno, the Adventist church has been designated by local authorities as an official shelter for a third consecutive year and is also used by nearby educational institutions. In Kovel, the congregation has continued supporting internally displaced persons and reported distributing two tons of food packages over the past year.

In Kyiv, where disruptions to heating, electricity, and water supply have continued, the church is preparing temporary support centers. Oleksandr Vashchynin, president of the Kyiv Conference, said residents and visitors will be able to warm up, rest, recharge devices, and receive pastoral support at church facilities.

Regional support centers operated by ADRA Ukraine

Despite challenging circumstances, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Ukraine, known as ADRA Ukraine, continues to provide services through its Support Centers in Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv. Although operating with certain limitations, these Centers still offer warmth, internet access, and psychological assistance. 

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ukraine remains committed to helping Ukrainians endure the winter season and is currently seeking additional opportunities — through the structural entities of the global Adventist Church — to secure further support for ongoing projects.

The original article was published by the Ukrainian Union Conference.