Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in a solo Christmas service in the Kremlin church at midnight this Friday, which was marked on January 7, which was marked by the Russian offensive in Ukraine. The Russian president watched the celebration at the Cathedral of the Annunciation, originally designed as a church for the tsars, led by priests in golden albs, some holding candlesticks, according to footage released by the Kremlin.
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In previous years, Vladimir Putin attended Orthodox Christmas ceremonies in the provinces of Russia or in the suburbs of Moscow. In a message broadcast by the Kremlin this week, the Russian president sent his congratulations to Orthodox Christians, noting that this day inspires “good deeds and aspirations“. He also said he was praying for the Orthodox Church, whose influential leader, Patriarch Kirill, fully supports the Russian military offensive in Ukraine decided by Vladimir Putin.
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Ceasefire violation
church organizationssupport our soldiers participating in special operationsthe Russian president said, using the Kremlin’s official term for an attack on Ukraine. “Such a tremendous, versatile and truly ascetic work deserves the most sincere respect.“, he added.
Patriarch Kirill called on believers to support “brotherspro-Russians during the Russian attack in the east of Ukraine. Since the start of the offensive in Ukraine on February 24, he has delivered sermons in which he gave his blessing to Russian troops while criticizing Ukrainian authorities. During a sermon last year, he said that dying in Ukraine “wash away all sins“. On Thursday, January 5, the Patriarch called on Moscow and Kiev to establish a ceasefire in Ukraine in connection with the Orthodox Christmas celebration. In the process, Vladimir Putin announced a unilateral ceasefire for 36 hours.
But artillery battles continued on Friday, January 6, in Bakhmut, a hot spot on the eastern Ukrainian front, as well as shelling in other areas, despite the unilateral ceasefire announcement. AFP reporters heard gunfire from both the Ukrainian and Russian sides in the largely destroyed and deserted city after the ceasefire began, but the intensity was lower than in previous days.
Source: Le Figaro
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.