What can you say when a Ukrainian bishop in Kyiv asks ‘has God forgotten us’? | Jonathan Wittenberg

On a visit with leaders from many religions, we saw so much courage, but also so much to test even the strongest faith

• Jonathan Wittenberg is rabbi of North London New Synagogue

A journey to Kyiv, in solidarity and, once back, to bear witness. I was with a group of religious leaders. Most of my family were murdered at Babi Yar," we heard from members of the Jewish community there. Who'd have thought two generations later we'd be at war again?" They told us their stories: tales of trauma and humanity. I help traumatised people, rescue abandoned animals," said one resident. The sirens, especially at night, get to us all."

Though recently the world marked the first anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine, like so much else in this conflict, that landmark wasn't entirely accurate. Vladimir Putin's war of aggression began nine years ago with the seizure of Crimea. Crimean Tatars are the largest Muslim group in Ukraine, Mufti Sheikh Aider explained to us. The Russians cut off electricity and water from non-compliant mosques, fingerprint believers, desecrate graves, torture leaders into signing agreements, and make martyrs of those who resist.