Amidst Conflict, Putin Pledges Unwavering Support to Russian Soldiers on Orthodox Christmas Eve

On the solemn eve of Orthodox Christmas, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a resolute message, emphasizing his commitment to the Russian soldiers "who with arms in hands" steadfastly defend the nation's interests. This public pledge came during a meeting with the bereaved families of troops who have perished in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

President Putin's staunch address underscored the sacrifices made by Russian forces since the launch of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The war, widely condemned by Kyiv and Western nations as an unprovoked act of aggression, has since caused immense human suffering, with thousands dead and millions displaced from their homes. Despite the heavy toll, the conflict has reached a trenchant stalemate, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces ensnared in a protracted exchange of intensified air strikes, unable to secure substantial territorial advances.

In a somber state television broadcast, President Putin was depicted attending the Divine Liturgy, a poignant midnight service held at a private chapel within his Novo-Ogaryovo residence on the outskirts of Moscow. This intimate and spiritual observation included a small convocation of relatives of the fallen soldiers, lending further gravity to the occasion.

Notably absent this year was a call for a ceasefire in Ukraine, a gesture Putin had previously made during the holiday season. The absence of such an appeal seemed to signal a continuation of hostilities, even as Orthodox Christians marked January 6-7 with reverence and festivity.

Moreover, recent developments gave testimony to the enduring violence. On Saturday, Ukraine reported a Russian missile strike that claimed 11 lives and left another 10 individuals wounded in the vicinity of Pokrovsk, an eastern Ukrainian city. Conversely, Moscow-aligned officials in Donetsk, now under Russian control, accused Kyiv of initiating shelling in the region.

Amid the harrowing backdrop of war and in anticipation of forthcoming elections in March, Putin has subtly shifted his rhetoric. His current narrative shifts focus toward traditional values and national solidarity. He mandated his entire government to enhance its commitment to the kin of deceased servicemen, emphasizing the importance of continuous and comprehensive support at every level of governance.

Putin's affinity with the Russian Orthodox Church in reinforcing conventional conservative values was again apparent in his address. The church has evolved into a formidable ally, aiding Putin's vision of a "Russian World," which stands in contrast to what he deems a morally eroding West. This alignment was evidenced by Russia's 2023 ban on what it labeled as "the international LGBTQ+ social movement" over claims of "extremism."

In a testament to the church's profound influence, Moscow’s Christ the Saviour cathedral featured the revered 15th-century Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev, brought forth from its restoration shelter for public veneration on Christmas Eve. Patriarch Kirill, a prominent figure in the Russian Orthodox Church, offered prayers and ceremonial observances before the venerated icon. Despite controversy, Putin last year transferred the treasured painting from Moscow's Tretyakov Museum to the Orthodox Church, discounting the cautionary outcries regarding its conservation from cultural specialists.

The impact of the conflict on religious observance was palpable beyond Russia's borders, reaching into areas of Ukraine under Russian administration. Here, Christmas services proceeded, delineating a stark contrast with the rest of Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky ratified a law in July 2023, transitioning the commemoration of Christmas to December 25, signifying an effort to distance Ukrainian heritage from Russian influences.

However, not all regions could observe the holiday unencumbered. In Belgorod, just 40 km from the Ukrainian border, festivities were overshadowed by the grim mark of a deadly cross-border attack and ongoing rocket strikes. The local mayor confirmed that Christmas Eve services were canceled due to the security concerns that loom over the community, underscoring the omnipresent shadow of the conflict during this typically festive time.

As the war trudges forth with no definitive end in sight, the words and actions of President Putin during this holy season epitomize the deep entrenchment of both military and cultural battle lines in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.