Soldiers of hope in Ukraine
- Apr 17
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 17
Majors Kostantyn and Yrina Shvab are the divisional leaders for the Kyiv region in Ukraine. For four years, they have lived with Russian attacks, fear and uncertainty. Now they are also fighting the cold. Yet not a single Salvation Army officer has left the war-torn country. They stay – to keep the doors open, support their people, and bring hope.
BY RANDI BJELLAND*
At last, they are getting a few nights of uninterrupted sleep. No sirens. No explosions shaking the house. No rushing to bomb shelters in the middle of the night. No freezing rooms. For the first time in a long while, the divisional leaders for the Kyiv region, Yrina and Kostantyn Shvab, along with their 18-year-old son Timothy, are safe and warm.
They are on a short visit to Norway, where they are spending time with their daughter and sister, Anna, who lives there. It is a long-awaited break from the relentless strain of war.
At The Salvation Army’s headquarters in Oslo, they express deep gratitude for the support they have received, including funding for after-school programs and portable diesel generators purchased before power outages severely affected the country.
These have now become vital, as large areas are often without electricity, and temperatures have dropped below minus 20 degrees Celsius for weeks.
“Generators are the reason The Salvation Army in Kyiv can still stay open,” says Kostantyn. “We gather people for services. We can offer tea, some food, and a place to charge their phones. We try to keep our doors open as often as we can.”
Warming up in the car
Power outages mean people have no water, no heating, and no electricity for cooking. This is especially difficult for elderly people living alone. Many apartment blocks in Kyiv have between 16 and 24 floors. Without electricity, older residents cannot leave because they cannot manage all the stairs. Even when there is electricity, elevators often only go up to the 10th floor.
Timothy, a Scout leader, explains that before Christmas, the Scouts received funds from The Salvation Army’s Christmas fundraising campaign. They used the money to buy food and gifts, which they distributed to elderly people who were unable to get to the store.
“We drank tea and talked with them. For the Scouts, it was a powerful experience. They need to help others during the war – and so many people need help.”
Every time we gather, we pray for them. We see how difficult it is for the children. Two of the Scouts have lost their fathers. We do what we can to help, says Timothy Shvab. Photos: Mette Randem
Now the cold has become another major enemy.
“In our home, we haven’t had heating for a month,” says Kostantyn. “At home it’s cold. Outside it’s cold. At The Salvation Army, it’s cold. The only place I can warm up is in the car.”
Hosting a puma
It has been four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During this time, The Salvation Army across the country has done everything it can to help others – often at great personal risk.
Kostantyn and Yrina were leading a local corps when, in 2022, they were asked to become divisional leaders responsible for all regions in Ukraine.
In the early phase of the war, people fled to the capital from across the country. There was chaos, and shops were nearly empty of food. For a long time, the divisional leaders received desperate refugees. All Salvation Army premises – and many private homes – were used for accommodation.
“Every day I woke up to new people and animals in our home,” says Anna.
Despite the serious situation, the family smiles as they talk about their dog, which was completely shocked by all the overnight guests – especially when someone arrived with a puma rescued from a local zoo.
‘It feels unreal’
Kostantyn and Yrina had the opportunity to leave the country before the war began. But after praying, the family felt strongly that they should stay. Timothy had the same conviction.
Still, they hope their daughter will remain safe in Norway, where she contributes to children’s and youth work in The Salvation Army.
“God has different plans for different people. We just have to trust that,” says Yrina.
“When we are there, it feels okay,” adds Kostantyn. “We fall into a routine and think this is just how life is now. But when we stop and reflect on the situation, it’s hard. It feels unreal.”
They say several Salvation Army officers suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic attacks. The leaders try to provide extra care for both the physical and mental health of their officers.
Important youth work
The family meets many people with deep trauma, especially young people. One initiative to help them is the Scout program established in 2023. It is growing rapidly.
“I’m so proud of my Scout scarf that I wear it all the time,” Timothy smiles.
“I see teenagers who were very afraid and quiet when they came, but who gradually change and become stronger.”
Many of the Scouts have lost their homes. Some have fathers fighting in the war.
“When I wake up at night because of an attack, I think about how in a few hours I’ll be at The Salvation Army telling the children that everything will be okay.”
Peace in the midst of war Many children have become so used to air-raid sirens that they no longer wake up. Adults don’t always go to shelters either.
“If we did that every time, we wouldn’t be able to do anything else. Sometimes we just have to prioritise sleep,” says Yrina.
“There is constant shooting in the city. We could be killed at any time – at home, on the way somewhere, or at The Salvation Army.”
Still, Kostantyn and other officers experience a special kind of peace.
“Even if we were to die in the war, we are saved. We know where we are going. My only prayer is: ‘Dear God, don’t let me be injured.’ Not being able to help others would be worse than anything.”
Helping is possible
The Salvation Army in Kyiv rents its building, and the rent is high. “We spend most of our money on rent,” says Kostantyn.
The organisation has grown since the war began and has opened new social centres, but needs far exceed resources. One centre in Kyiv recently had to close due to a lack of funding.
“People cried and were devastated – not just because of the food distribution, but because they lost their community,” says Kostantyn, adding that The Salvation Army also needs vehicles and fuel to distribute aid across Ukraine.
“Thanks to support, we’ve received more cars. That’s made it possible to deliver humanitarian aid across the country. I’ve driven more in these years than in my entire life.”
(Left) For many Ukrainians, the Salvation Army becomes a place for food, warmth, and hope, like here in Dnipro. (Right) The Salvation Army serves food to the homeless in freezing conditions in the city of Kropyvnytskyi. Photo: The Salvation Army Ukraine
Faith strengthened
Yrina says the situation has tested her faith.
“I have to ask myself: ‘If I die today, what happens then?’ I choose to believe in eternity with God. Maybe my faith has become stronger – it has to, because the challenges are greater.”
The family has moved their beds into hallways without windows for safety.
“When the war began, I felt God say: ‘You must do something. There are many people who don’t know me,’” Timothy says.
Many people have had their faith strengthened, though some initially became angry at God.
“For us as Christians, it’s more important than ever to tell people about God – so they know who protects them.”
Holding on to hope
“For us, faith is what keeps us going,” says Kostantyn. “If we lost our faith, everything would collapse. It’s what gives us strength to bring hope.”
In four days, the family will return to Ukraine. Anna will remain in Norway.
“I’m grateful to be here, but it’s difficult. It feels wrong to be safe while my family is facing such hardship,” she says.
Her mother smiles warmly: “You worry about us and often ask how we’re doing. Every time I answer: ‘Anna, we are still alive. Pray for us. God knows everything.’”
This article by Norwegian Salvation Army journalist Randi Bjelland was first published in The War Cry in Norway and has been reproduced with permission
