Vasilisa Stepanenko, Author at Crux

A man kneels next to the coffins of sisters Liubava and Vira Yakovleva, killed by a Russian rocket strike during their funeral in Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 19, 2026. (Credit: Evygeniy Maloletka/AP.)

Church in Europe

Kyiv holds a funeral for 2 young sisters killed by a Russian missile strike

by Hanna Arhirova and Vasilisa Stepanenko May 20, 2026

Priests bless believers and their Easter baskets to mark Orthodox Easter, in Pyrohiv, close to Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, April 12, 2026. (Credit: Efrem Lukatsky/AP.)

Church in Europe

Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of violating Putin’s Easter ceasefire

by Derek Gatopoulos, Vasilisa Stepanenko and Associated Press April 13, 2026

Residential multistory buildings are seen in the dark during large-scale power outages following Russian strikes on Ukraine’s power grid in Kyiv, Ukraine, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (Credit: Dan Bashakov/AP.)

Church in Europe

Pope Leo asks for prayers for Ukraine, as it faces freeze after Russia attacks

by Derek Gatopoulos, Vasilisa Stepanenko and Associated Press January 25, 2026

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