The Rev. Father Oleg Kravchenko, of Assumption of the Virgin Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1301 Newport Ave., Northampton, and the Rev. John Seniw, of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1343 Newport Ave., Northampton, both expressed grave concerns about the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, during an interview last week.

They lamented the reports of indiscriminate Russian bombings in Ukrainian residential areas and the mistruths reportedly emanating from the Kremlin that blame Ukraine for Russia’s invasion.

Kravchenko was born and raised in Ukraine. He has family in both the eastern and western parts of the country.

“God willing, things will be fine,” he said. “The situation really scares me.”

Kravchenko went on to say western Ukraine will not Russify, defined as “to make Russian in character.” The Ukrainians will strive to preserve their culture and identity at any cost, he said.

Kravchenko pointed out Ukraine will also fight for its culture. He said both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko “are old Communists living in a bygone era.”

Kravchenko said Russia, to a large extent, is living psychologically as the former Soviet Union, which collapsed in the early 1990s. He said many in Russia, particularly older Russians, lament the Soviet Union’s dissolution.

Kravchenko said he believes Putin wants to reconstitute a Russian empire like Peter the Great, Ivan the Terrible and Catherine the Great.

“I fear it will get worse before it gets better,” Kravchenko said.

Seniw said there are weekly prayer groups at different churches to support the Ukrainians. Although he said he supports the Ukrainian armed forces, all funds collected will go to humanitarian relief.

“We really want to support the humanitarian efforts,” Seniw said.

Both Seniw and Kravchenko implore people to contribute to the relief efforts.

Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church is also accepting donations to support the Ukrainians. Contact both churches to donate to assist the Ukrainians. Visit holyassumption.org and/or ukrarcheparchy.us to learn how to support the effort.