Putin Equates Military Action in Ukraine to a Divine Charge During Orthodox Christmas Celebration

Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that Russian soldiers are undertaking a sacred task that can be likened to the mission of Jesus Christ while observing the Orthodox Christmas holiday on Wednesday.

Putin participated in a midnight Christmas mass alongside military personnel and their families at the Church of St. George the Victorious, located in the Moscow region, as reported by the Kremlin.

“Today, we celebrate the beautiful and radiant holiday of Christ’s Nativity,” Putin stated in a short speech following the service, based on the Kremlin’s transcript.

«We often refer to the Lord as the Savior because He came to Earth to redeem all humanity. In the same fashion, the soldiers of Russia have always fulfilled this role—protecting the Fatherland, safeguarding the Motherland and its people,” he mentioned.

He noted that historically, soldiers in Russia have been regarded as individuals engaged in a “holy mission” on behalf of God, “as if entrusted by the Lord Himself.”

Vladimir Putin, who has not commented on the removal of his Venezuelan ally Nicolás Maduro, was present at the midnight Orthodox Christmas service at a church in the Moscow area, joined by servicemen.

Putin also spoke to the children of military members, encouraging them to take pride in their parents, highlighting that Russians have “always” held their soldiers in high regard. He emphasized that the joy of Christmas is shared among all Russian troops, including those from various faiths.

“We share in their joy when they celebrate their holidays, just as we all come together to celebrate our common triumphs,” Putin stated. “As is widely recognized, victory is always one for all.”

Since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has increasingly underscored the importance of the military and national unity in his public statements.

In his New Year’s speech last week, he once again highlighted the military, stating that “millions” of Russians throughout the country were supporting those engaged in what Moscow refers to as its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

“The strength of our unity is what determines the sovereignty and security of our Fatherland, its development, and its future,” he added, emphasizing that “the work, successes, and achievements of each individual contribute new chapters to [Russia’s] millennia-long history.”

Western assessments indicate that Russia has faced hundreds of thousands of military casualties, while Ukraine has suffered tens of thousands of losses during the conflict.

Indigenous communities from various regions and ethnic republics of Russia have disproportionately shouldered the burden of military mobilization.

The United Nations estimates that over 14,000 Ukrainian civilians have perished in the nearly four-year-long war and has accused Russia of committing crimes against humanity against civilians in Ukraine.