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From left to right, top row: Brothers Vyacheslav Boronos, Saveliy Gargalyk, Yevgeniy Kayryak, and Artem Kim. Bottom row: Brothers Sergey Loginov, Aleksey Plekhov, and Sergey Volosnikov

The Surgut City Court of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area—Yugra will soon announce its verdict in a case involving 17 brothers and one sister. Among them are Brothers Vyacheslav Boronos, Saveliy Gargalyk, Yevgeniy Kayryak, Artem Kim, Sergey Loginov, Aleksey Plekhov, and Sergey Volosnikov. The prosecutor has yet to request a potential sentence.

Police officers searched numerous homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Surgut and nearby cities. As a result, three brothers, including Sergey Loginov, were sent to pretrial detention. One other brother was later ordered to report to a psychiatric hospital. The seven brothers profiled in this report were physically mistreated after refusing to disclose details about their fellow worshippers

The European Court of Human Rights ordered the Russian government to release Sergey Loginov so that he could receive medical attention

Sergey Loginov was released from pretrial detention

Biography: He has worked in home construction and remodeling for over 25 years. Married Viktoriya in 1991. Vyacheslav was baptized in 2003

How has your experience impacted your prayers for others facing opposition?

When I read about new searches and arrests that have taken place or the continuing court cases of our brothers and sisters, I pray for them by name. . . . I ask Jehovah to turn his attention to each of them and to give them as much strength, endurance, confidence, and faith as they need to be able to face all their trials.

Biography: He enjoyed track and field as a young boy. Worked as a carpenter but is now retired. Enjoys gardening

Married Olga in 1986. They have two daughters. Was baptized in 2006

How has Bible reading helped you to be courageous?

Every morning, I read the Bible and meditate on what I read. I am no longer experiencing any of the initial fears I had. . . . Second Chronicles 20:15 says: “Do not be afraid or be terrified because of this large crowd, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” Verses like this help me to view my situation as Jehovah views it.

Biography: Along with his parents and two siblings, he began learning about the Bible in the 1990’s. Was baptized in 2006. Married Rosanna in 2016

What has helped you to cope with anxiety?

I sometimes listen to the Kingdom melodies. Heartfelt prayer also helps to calm me down. While under house arrest, I wrote down Bible verses and the lyrics to our songs in a notebook.

I often reflect on the words recorded at Matthew 10:28: “Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” These words, which are also included in one of our songs, help me to develop greater trust in Jehovah.

How did you feel during the court hearings?

I feel that Jehovah gave me boldness. . . . When the truth is on your side, there is no reason for you to feel guilty. I stood there boldly with my head held high and spoke respectfully. Participating in the hearings was always a source of encouragement to my wife and me.

Biography: As a youth, enjoyed playing soccer, basketball, and volleyball. As a teenager, his mother helped him to study the Bible. Came to view the Bible as a letter from Jehovah. Was baptized in 2004. Married Nadezhda in 2013

How did Jehovah help you to endure harsh treatment?

When the police were threatening and torturing me, the examples of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came to my mind. Even when faced with death, they fearlessly remained faithful to Jehovah. . . . Jehovah answered my prayers and gave me the strength I needed to endure.

Biography: Both of his parents died when he was young. Spent many years caring for his aunt. Was trained as an electric power engineer and has worked for years in the energy sector

In 1993, he began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Was impressed by the Bible’s standards and wanted to live by them. Was baptized in 1996

What helped you to remain faithful despite the mistreatment you endured while detained?

I prayed and asked Jehovah to give me spiritual strength . . . and to remain calm and collected . . . When you find yourself in a situation where you have no control over what is happening to you, you experience Jehovah’s help in a new way. I felt completely dependent on him.

Biography: Had questions about the Creator from a young age. Found satisfying answers to his questions in the Bible. Was baptized in 1996

Works as a welder. Married Anna in 2013. They have two young daughters

What helped you to stay faithful in the face of opposition?

Jesus warned his followers that they would be persecuted, so I knew to expect persecution. It is one thing to know something, but it is something else entirely to personally experience it. In those moments, my thoughts were focused on remaining faithful and steadfast to the end. The song “Give Me Courage” was playing in my head that entire day and into the evening, and I repeatedly sang it to myself as these events unfolded.

Biography: Enjoyed soccer and hockey as a child. Baptized in 1996. Married Svetlana in 2014. They have one son

How has Jehovah helped you to endure persecution?

There can be no doubt that a situation like this requires you to have complete trust in Jehovah. You understand that the authorities can put you in prison, leaving your family on their own. You have to give yourself over to Jehovah completely and to trust him with your life and the lives of your family. That is what I pray to Jehovah about, and I feel that he has answered my prayers.

As our courageous brothers continue to face trials, we are confident that Jehovah hears their prayers and answers quickly when they are in distress.—Psalm 69:17.

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia have been imprisoned for their faith. Learn their history, and get a printable list of any Witnesses currently in prison.

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