Larisa Kozovaya11:21, 07.01.26

The dictator thanked the church for its support of the war against Ukraine.

On the night of January 7, the official Christmas holiday in Russia, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin attended a church meeting with military personnel and their families. There, he declared that Russian soldiers were fulfilling “God’s holy mission,” according to information published on the Russian presidential website.

Specifically, it is noted that Putin attended a service at the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in the Moscow region that night, and after the service, he spoke with those present. A video posted on the website shows Putin surrounded by a group of people, including men in military uniform. He addresses the soldiers and, apparently, their wives and young children.  

“Today we celebrate the wonderful, bright holiday of the Nativity of Christ. And we often call the Lord our Savior, because He came to Earth to save all people. And so, as if on God’s instructions, Russia’s soldiers always fulfill this very mission—to defend the Fatherland, to save the Motherland and its people,” the Russian leader declared.

Addressing the children, he said that they should be proud of their parents who went to war.

“At all times, Russia has treated its soldiers in this way, as those people who, as if on God’s instructions, carry out this holy mission,” Putin said.

He also noted the “unique contribution of the Russian Orthodox Church” to preserving, including the patriotic, spiritual, and moral education of youth. He stated that Russian religious organizations devote “tireless attention to acts of mercy” and support participants and veterans of the war against Ukraine, which Russia calls a “special military operation.”

The Russian Orthodox Church is an integral part of Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine.

As a reminder, Pavel Lisyansky, PhD in political science and director of the Institute for Strategic Studies and Security, stated that the Russian Orthodox Church is an integral part of Russia’s hybrid strategy and hybrid war against Ukraine. Lisyansky emphasized that Russian priests are actively involved in the military aggression against Ukraine, blessing weapons and participating in combat. Torture and murders of Ukrainian clergy have also been documented.

(C)UNIAN 2025