It was previously reported that many devotee families and temple residents in Kyiv left the city for safer locations in the county or to other cities further to the west. Earlier reports were that only a handful of devotees were living in the temple, but that has all changed. Niranjana Swami confirmed to ISKCON News (10 AM EST) that other devotee families have moved into the Kyiv temple from various parts of the city. “Many of these families live in high-rise apartments that are unsafe now.

The temple is more protected, and has two floors underground that can serve as an air defense shelter,” he said. “Also, the devotees were lonely and needing association. In the temple, they’re having kirtan and hearing about Krishna together.” About 50 devotees have moved into the temple building.