Ukrainian American Chaplain Continues Frontline Ministry Amid Ongoing Conflict

Mikhail Pavenko, a 34-year-old Ukrainian American from Seattle, recently began his tenth two-week rotation as a volunteer military chaplain in Ukraine. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, Pavenko has traveled to the frontlines to provide spiritual support, assist with medical evacuations, and deliver essential supplies to soldiers. He frequently sleeps in bunkers or abandoned homes while serving alongside troops in active combat zones.

Pavenko reports that the prevalence of first-person-view (FPV) attack drones has significantly increased the danger for those on the frontlines. He recounted a close encounter in April 2025 in the Zaporizhzhia region, where he and fellow chaplains narrowly escaped a drone strike after their vehicle's electronic jamming equipment appeared to disrupt the device's signal. Pavenko attributes his survival to both technology and divine mercy.

Currently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are supported by more than 400 official military chaplains and approximately 700 volunteers. Despite the intense fear and physical risks associated with the conflict, Pavenko continues his service, describing the work as a profoundly meaningful commitment to the soldiers.