Shocking footage has emerged of a Ukrainian priest’s narrow escape, after Russia shelled his church and its roof collapsed right where he had been standing only seconds earlier.
The video, posted on X, formerly Twitter, by eastern European media platform NEXTA, showed the gold-clad clergyman milling around in the holy building.
As he does so, he walks by a rectangular red carpet, turns right and bows his head. As he proceeds forward, the ceiling above the red carpet caves in after a Russian shell struck the church.
Turning in horror, the priest freezes, aghast at the destruction wreaked in the spot where he had just been.
The clip, which is taken from CCTV footage within the church, is 17 seconds in length and has been viewed over 45,000 times at the time of writing – little over an hour since the video was posted on X.
Commenters could not believe the priest’s good luck, with one writing: “God was taking care of him.” Another said: “The sun shines on the righteous.”
The attacks on the Ukrainian church come amid concerns that the Russian military, far from becoming war weary, is growing in strength.
Dutch military chief Lieutenant General Martin Wijnen told De Telegraaf that western states should remain wary of the threat posed by Kremlin, not just in Ukraine, but in the rest of Europe too.
Calling for greater military investment, he said: “The Netherlands should be seriously afraid of war, and our society should prepare for it…Russia is getting stronger.”
He added: “The Netherlands should not think our safety is guaranteed because we are 1,500 kilometers away [from Russians].
“There is only one language that Russia understands, and that is one of a strong military. The Netherlands must learn again that all members of society must be ready when things go wrong.”
