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Transcript/ScriptUkraine War Orthodox Easter
HEADLINE: Ukraine Mourns Two Months of War While Celebrating Orthodox Easter
TEASER: Orthodox Easter is one of Ukraine’s most beloved holidays, falling this year as war death toll mounts.
PUBLISHED AT: 04/24/2022 at 5:04 pm
BYLINE: Heather Murdock
DATELINE: IRPIN/KHARKIV, Ukraine
VIDEOGRAPHER: Yan Boechat, Heather Murdock
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: sv, MPage
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:40
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:
((INTRO))
[[April 24 marks two months of war in Ukraine, and Easter for Orthodox Christians, the vast majority of the country’s population. Services this year in battle worn areas were often sparse amid growing numbers of deaths, injuries and families fleeing their homes. VOA’s Heather Murdock reports from Irpin in Ukraine with Yan Boechat in Kharkiv.]]
((VOA VIDEO: CHURCH SERVICE, WAR, SERVICE))
((NARRATOR:))
On Sunday, Easter for Orthodox Christians, the religion of most Ukrainians, fell on the same day that marks two months of war in Ukraine.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, has been bombarded with missiles and other heavy weaponry almost every day since of the conflict began.
But many people in Kharkiv braved the streets to attend services for Easter, one of the nation’s most beloved holidays.
((Ludmyla Mokhynenko, Kharkiv Resident)) ((Female, in Russian))
“I’m human but of course I felt fear like an animal. But I’m also religious and rely on God. I believe he will protect us.”
((VOA VIDEO: IRPIN SERVICE, IRPIN BATTLE, BUCHA DISTRUCTION, EASTER CELEBRATIONS))
((NARRATOR:))
In the suburbs of the capital Kyiv, services were even more sparse. Many towns and villages remain nearly abandoned even though Russia has refocused its efforts in Eastern Ukraine.
This town, Irpin, was the sight of gruesome battles. The next town over is Bucha, where Ukraine accuses Russian soldiers of committing war crimes, including the murder of civilians and mass rape, while occupying the town.
Families here are celebrating with caution, saying they believe war will return to their areas.
((Oleh Rykun, Retired Police Officer)) ((Male, Ukrainian))
“I didn’t think we’d make it home by Easter. We left on the second day of the war and the Russians were close, surrounding the city. We then followed the news and knew the situation was serious.”
((VOA VIDEO: KHARKIV UNDERGROUND))
((NARRATOR:))
And in Kharkiv, families say they fear attacks on their city, and others under siege, will continue to get worse before they get better.
((Ludmyla Lazareva, Kharkiv Resident)) ((Female, in Ukrainian))
“It’s terrifying. I hope God protects everyone from these events. I wouldn’t wish for anyone to go through this. It’s a nightmare.”
((REUTERS VIDEO: ODESA, OFFICIALS))
((NARRATOR:))
Ukrainian officials say at least eight people were killed including a 3-month-old baby, and 18 wounded in an attack on the southern port city of Odesa on Saturday.
Russia denies targeting civilians in what it calls a "special military operation," not a war.
((VOA VIDEO: WORSHIPPERS IN IRPIN))
((NARRATOR:))
Last week, the United Nations said more than 12 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine and nearly 2,500 civilians have been killed, including almost 200 children.
((Heather Murdock, VOA News, Irpin, Ukraine))
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