CNN chief international correspondent stops during live shot, captures viral moment desperate Ukrainians kneel in prayer amid Russian invasion

Clarissa Ward, CNN’s chief international correspondent, witnessed a moving demonstration of faith on live television Thursday morning as a group of Ukrainians kneeled on the ground in prayer as Russia continued its invasion into the war-torn country.

Talking with CNN anchor Don Lemon, Ward — who was on the ground in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Thursday morning — witnessed the group of people praying on what appeared to be a public street amid the danger.

“I think this … really speaks to the sort of desperation of this moment,” Ward said of the group’s faithfulness. “We just see a small group of people … have gathered in the main square, and they are kneeling and praying because right now there is clearly a sense of having no idea what is coming down the pipeline, what is in store.”

Video footage showed the group of people as Ward pointed out that the scene — though dire and desperate — was “very moving.”