The Most Amazing Story, Ivan, Our Contributing Author has Successfully Escaped from Ukraine!

by Robert Anthony June 16th 2025

I have to admit this is all hard to believe, except that I have very personally been living this story with Ivan for nearly 3 years now. (Feel free to click back thru his articles) The story began about 3 years ago when Ivan stood up to the Ukrainian government to remind them that it is quite literally in their constitution: the right to pacifist-contentious objection to serving in war, and in a draft. But very unfortunately, my dear friend Ivan had to go to court to fight for this (war-time) right, enshrined in their federal laws. As the story continues, Ivan and many others throughout their nation were denied this right. What they did to Ivan in and outside of the courtroom was criminal to say the least. Long story short, Ivan had to go into hiding some 18 months ago because his efforts in court had failed, and because Zelensky's private military were pulling men off the streets and dragging them to war, often to the front lines (as punishment).

Ivan survived these many months in hiding by not going to the grocery store, being abundantly careful anytime he would leave the house and, generally speaking, rarely leaving the house during the daytime hours, at all. But then the worst happens.

Ivan decided he could not continue to live this way. He decided he would not subject his family to this miserable life any longer - and so he concocted a plan to escape Ukraine, his concentration-camp like country. He was wise in not sharing these details with anyone, including me.

As the story goes about 3 miles from the border, in the middle of the woods Ivan was surrounded by police, military, border guards and Zelesky's private army. He was apprehended, beaten very badly, hand-cuffed and taken into custody. After a couple of days in detention (something worse than a prison) Ivan was loaded up to be sold, like chattel, to one of their forward-facing Ukrainian bases, near to the front lines. As it was explained to him, he would be severely punished for his actions and more than likely killed in battle at the worst front lines with Russia, even behind enemy lines.

What happens next is nothing less than miraculous. The Lord gave his servant, Ivan, quite the plan! The third or fourth time the van stopped for Ivan to use the bathroom (on the side of the road), he quickly took off running into the woods. How they managed to escape from young, trained soldiers when Ivan is really an out-of-shape grandfather with health problems, is another amazing part of the story! (We will tell another day.) But he miraculously escaped from the van and hid out in the woods for a couple days before being connected to friends of friends in that region of Ukraine. Ivan remained in hiding for nearly 10 weeks knowing without a doubt, if he was caught again he would be either beaten to death or killed at the front lines! (As Ivan was running away from those soldiers, the soldiers shouted, "We will kill you once we catch you!")

Ivan confided in me that he would be leaving the country and asked for my help. But what could I do? I called, no joke, a dozen Christian NGOs, huge Christian organizations that are raising money all day, everyday supposedly to help people like my brother Ivan and yet NOT ONE would help. Many wouldn't even return my calls or texts. In the end, Ivan and I were alone, with Jesus, to prayerfully find his escape.

Days ago, I was about to launch his GiveSendGo campaign to raise the money for his escape. We had decided it was best that I did not know the details of his plan for escape. But he explained that he needed $8,000 (USD) for equipment plus help with a flight to America. He had already a US Visa. I was working to launch the campaign, when suddenly Ivan disappeared again!

I was petrified. I assumed the worst, that he was caught in his hiding place and something terrible had happened, I started praying immediately. And asking friends to pray. 48 hours later I got a text from his wife! IVAN HAD ESCAPED!! He had successfully escaped!! He made it across the Ukraine-border and safely into a neighboring country.... Ivan's plan was quite simple but a great risk. It turns out, he bought a paraglider and an engine, he had never before flown anything, he had no experience with such equipment, but by the hand of God, Ivan flew himself to freedom! And he has been, once again, a free Ukrainian man for the past few days. All Glory to God.

The story really gets better and better but I will save all the details for Ivan to tell his story when he is ready.

I am asking anyone able to help Ivan pay back the $8,000 loan he took to purchase the equipment to escape from Ukraine and he needs a little help with travel expenses, flight, etc. We are raising $12,000 at GiveSendGo - Here is the link:

Ivan's GiveSendGo Fundraiser

Ivan will be working again with American Revival Press and working on another project we are launching right now with Veterans!! It's such an amazing thing God is doing. Many of you will get to meet Ivan in person at our next American Revival Press event! We will be in touch on these things in the days and weeks ahead. So many of you have been praying for Ivan and I want you all to see GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS!! Even in tough and dangerous times such as these.... GOD STILL LOVES US!

The Best is still Yet to Come!! We will SEE IT!! Believe, friends... God is not done yet!! With the greatest love and affection to the saints, Robert Anthony.