Ukraine parliament (file photo)
There's more at stake than economic reforms. Vice President of Russian Ministries Sergey Rakhuba says if Yanukovych wins control, expect to see religious freedom changes. "He will limit all the western mission groups. He will limit the churches and its activity. So we have lots of concerns about what will happen in terms of missions if President Yushchenko is forced out of his office."
Yushchenko's decision to dissolve parliament is being taken up by the Constitutional Court, but it's uncertain when they'll consider the case.
Several thousand supporters of the ruling coalition, which also comprises the Communists and Socialists, rallied in central Kiev Wednesday. Several hundred reportedly plan to stay in a tent camp until the Constitutional Court rules on the presidential decree.
Rakhuba says the situation is tense. "They say 15,000 to 20,000 troops are surrounding Kiev today, and they're bringing more. One of the opponents to Viktor Yushchenko said publicly that there's just one step away from civil war in that country."
Russian Ministries is heavily involved in Ukraine as their work has expanded. "We purchased a building. We have a great ministry in Ukraine. We have lots of new initiatives, lots of young people who are getting involved in ministry, and definitely we are concerned and we are praying."
Rakhuba is praying for peace in Ukriane, "but also pray that God would give wisdom to all the church leaders and missionaries there in how to deal with the situation and how to continue their ministry."
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