Month before Russian invasion Church issues evacuation order for missionaries in Ukraine

Dozens were killed during the early hours of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered “military operations” on Ukraine—hitting multiple cities and bases with airstrikes.

Last month, 24 January 2022, the Church had already issued an evacuation order for all missionaries in Ukraine.
Sam Penrod, a spokesman with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, released the following statement to media on Monday, 24 January 2022:

Due to ongoing uncertainty in Ukraine, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is temporarily reassigning full-time missionaries assigned to both the Ukraine Dnipro and Ukraine Kyiv/Moldova missions to locations outside of Ukraine. The decision is made out of an abundance of caution, as some government embassies in Ukraine are preparing to move certain personnel and their family members.

Many of these missionaries are being reassigned to missions in Europe, and a few missionaries who are approaching their planned release date will complete their missionary service and return home.

Missionaries who have recently been called to Ukraine will receive a temporary assignment elsewhere. Some missionaries will serve in Moldova, which is away from any potential conflict areas.

We pray for a peaceful resolution to the tensions in Ukraine and look forward to when the missionaries may return.

All missionaries serving in the affected areas were safely evacuated. There are no casualties among the group.