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On the eve of Orthodox Christmas, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged unwavering support for soldiers defending Russia’s interests, urging increased backing from the government for those in the armed forces.
In a late-night meeting with families of Russian soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict in Ukraine, Putin emphasized the courage of these individuals and called on the nation to exhibit mercy and justice.
Background on the Conflict:
The President’s remarks come almost two years after Russia started a full-scale charge of Ukraine in February 2022, a move denounced by Kyiv and its Western allies as an unprovoked imperialistic land grab.
The ongoing battle has resulted in thousands of casualties and displaced millions, with recent developments focusing on increased air strikes and a persistent struggle for significant gains along the frontline.
Putin attended an intimate midnight service known as the Divine Liturgy with families of fallen soldiers at a chapel in his Novo-Ogaryovo residence near Moscow. No call for a ceasefire in Ukraine during the holiday was absent, unlike the previous year.
Domestic Initiatives and Elections:
As Russia faces upcoming elections in March, Putin directed his government to provide greater support to the families of deceased servicemen. He desired this directive to be a clear signal to officials at all levels throughout the country.
In a separate message on the Kremlin’s website, Putin called on Russians to uphold the values of “goodness, mercy, and justice.”
He urged the Russian Orthodox Church to contribute to strengthening family institutions and patriotism, aligning with his ongoing efforts to emphasize traditional conservative values in contrast to what he perceives as a decadent West.
Orthodox Christmas Observances:
In Moscow’s Christ the Saviour cathedral, believers had the opportunity to pray in front of Russia’s renowned religious painting, the 15th-century Trinity icon by Andrei Rublyov.
The fragile artwork, transferred by Putin from Moscow’s Tretyakov Museum to the Orthodox Church last year, was displayed without special protection, drawing attention to preservation concerns.
Contrasts in Christmas Celebrations:
While Christmas services were held in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had changed the date of the Christmas holiday to Dec. 25 from Jan. 7 in the rest of Ukraine as part of a broader initiative to “renounce Russian heritage.”
Meanwhile, in the southern Russian city of Belgorod, where a deadly cross-border attack occurred on Dec. 30, Christmas Eve services were canceled due to ongoing security concerns and rocket attacks.
