FEBRUARY 13, 2024
RUSSIA

Focused on the Honor of Serving Jehovah

PLAY

The Vyselkovskiy District Court of the Krasnodar Territory will soon announce its verdict in the case involving Brothers Yevgeniy Bochko, Vladimir Kolesnikov, Aleksey Shubnikov, Vitaliy Ushakov, and Valeriy Vechkayev. The prosecutor has yet to request a potential sentence.

Profiles

Yevgeniy Bochko

Born: 1975 (Novoberezansky, Krasnodar Territory)

Biography: Worked as a maintenance engineer

Prayed to God for help identifying the true religion. Baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1998

Married Anna in 2009

Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

Personal Comments

What has been your focus while going through this criminal investigation and trial?

Throughout this process, my wife and I have prayed that we can bring praise to Jehovah’s name. We have had that opportunity. While one of the investigators was reviewing volumes of material in the criminal case, he asked us several questions about Jehovah’s Witnesses. There are 17 volumes of material in the case, each between 100 and 350 pages long. On nearly every page, the name Jehovah appears. It is a great honor to have a share in making his name known.

Vladimir Kolesnikov

Born: 1946 (Ukraine)

Biography: Retired from the military. Later, worked in the mining industry

Married Zinaida in 1979. They had two daughters and a son. Zinaida passed away in 2020

Studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses as a couple. Both baptized in 1995

Personal Comments

What has helped you to maintain a positive attitude despite your trials?

It is not always easy to cope with the many challenges I face. While I sometimes get discouraged, I have learned how to overcome such feelings. I pray and make use of the spiritual resources I have available. My appreciation for God’s Word has increased, and I have learned how valuable it is to share everything with Jehovah in prayer. Thinking back, I realize that in the past I may have tried to solve things on my own. Now talking with Jehovah about my feelings, my worries, and my joys gives me both satisfaction and stability.

Valeriy Vechkayev

Born: 1973 (Vyselki, Krasnodar Territory)

Biography: Works as an interior finisher. Impressed by the high moral standards found in the Bible and how Jehovah’s Witnesses lived up to them. Baptized in 1999

Married Irina in 1996. They have two sons and a daughter

Personal Comments

How is Jehovah helping you to cope with this trial?

Jehovah helps in many ways. My brothers and sisters pray for me and have provided me with material and emotional support. And through the fulfillment of Bible prophecies, Jehovah has made it clear that his new world is near at hand. This has led me to view my current trials like clouds. They come in various shapes and sizes, but they will eventually dissipate and disappear completely. I am grateful to Jehovah that in the meantime he is giving me the strength to endure.

We are confident that Jehovah will continue to provide joy and strength to these brothers and to all who continue to look to him for support.—Psalm 141:8.

Time Line

February 11, 2022

Criminal case initiated against Yevgeniy, Aleksey, Vitaliy, and Valeriy
February 13, 2022

Homes searched. Yevgeniy, Aleksey, and Vitaliy interrogated. Vitaliy placed in a temporary detention center
February 15, 2022

Vitaliy sent to a pretrial detention center
February 16, 2022

Yevgeniy and Aleksey placed under travel restrictions
February 18, 2022

Valeriy placed under travel restrictions
February 21, 2022

Criminal case initiated against Vladimir
March 15, 2022

Vladimir placed under travel restrictions. Criminal cases combined into one
September 8, 2022

Vitaliy released from pretrial detention and placed under house arrest
October 10, 2022

Vitaliy released from house arrest and placed under travel restrictions
May 31, 2023

Criminal trial began

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Focused on the Honor of Serving Jehovah

Profiles

Time Line

You May Also Like

Imprisoned for Their Faith—Russia