Only Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an Orthodox Christmas at a Moscow Kremlin cathedral. In the past, Putin mainly traveled to the provinces for Russian Orthodox celebrations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has celebrated the first Orthodox Christmas since his army invaded Ukraine on the Kremlin grounds.
Photos and footage released by Russian state media on Saturday show the 70-year-old standing in the Cathedral of the Annunciation in the presence of sextons.
Talk about “good deeds” and thank the church
According to a Kremlin statement, Putin, who ordered the offensive war against the neighboring country more than ten months ago, said: “This bright, beloved holiday inspires people to good deeds and efforts and serves to promote spiritual values and moral guidelines that are imperishable. in society as an affirmation of mercy, compassion, goodness and justice.”
The president also thanked the Russian Orthodox Church for its role in society. Its influential leader, Patriarch Kirill, is considered a staunch supporter of the war against Ukraine, which has killed thousands of civilians and injured many more.
Since the autumn, the Russian army has also been targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, leaving many people temporarily or permanently without heating, electricity and water supply during the cold season.
Against this background, many observers see a unilateral Christmas ceasefire ordered by Putin as a cynical propaganda gesture. Officially, the Russian ceasefire was to last until 22:00 CET on Saturday night, but continued hostilities were reported.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
