The thunder of rockets and artillery pouring in and out is ever-present; if Moscow were to occupy the city, it would cut off the main supply line for Ukrainian troops in the region.

There is no electricity in large parts of Pokrovsk and there is virtually no internet in some parts of the city. Many residents have little money or opportunity to restart their lives elsewhere and believe they have nowhere else to go.

According to Leonid Sakharovich, a priest, around 30 people have found refuge in an evangelical church called Awakening in the city, which has become a refuge for displaced people.

The church consists of a large one-story building equipped with a dining room, a kitchen and various rooms converted into sleeping quarters for the residents.

Mr. Zakharovich has been Awakening's pastor since 1993 and served as head of the church during the war.

Most days he works to support Ukraine's war effort, whether by meeting with soldiers on the front lines or providing aid to people on the front lines.

“Two months ago we started hearing bombings. You can hear them very often. We believe in God and the Ukrainian Armed Forces and we believe that they (the Russians) will not come here,” Mr. Sakharovich said.

“According to the Bible, one should not cross one’s neighbor’s boundaries. (Putin) invaded Ukraine, which means he violated it. That means he is from the devil,” he added.