Church leader says only prayer can prevent a Russian invasion

A Catholic bishop in eastern Ukraine has said “only prayer and divine intervention” can now save his country from a Russian invasion, which risks dragging the rest of Europe into the conflict.

“It will be a miracle if Russia doesn't decide on a total invasion – the American intelligence services and Nato have warned we must be ready for such a scen­ario at any moment,” said Jan Sobilo, auxiliary bishop of Kharkiv-Zaporizhia. “If it happens, and Russia attacks Ukraine, this will be a Europe-wide, if not worldwide, problem. Millions of  refugees will have no prospect other than escape to the West.”

 Speaking in Poland, Bishop Sobilo said a “real war” was now being waged in his diocese, and the aim of pro-Russia separatists was being served by the mass exodus of local inhabitants.