Christmas with the military
Vladimir Putin celebrated Christmas with Russian soldiers, calling their participation in the war a 'holy mission'. He stated this during a service held at the Church of St. George the Victorious, located near Moscow. In his speeches, the President of Russia emphasized the importance of the mission carried out by Russian soldiers, stressing that they are protecting their homeland.
Putin noted that Russian warriors are fulfilling the mission of protecting the Motherland and its people. He compared their activities to the mission of the Savior, who, according to the president, came to save people.
“We call the Lord the Savior because He came to save people. Likewise, the warriors of Russia, supposedly on the Lord's behalf, are carrying out the mission of protecting the Fatherland and saving its people,” said Putin.
Situation in Ukraine
The Russian army has been waging war on Ukrainian territory for almost four years. It is worth noting that in his New Year address, Putin did not mention peace or the suffering of civilians, highlighting his focus on military actions and their purpose.
Vladimir Putin's statements during the Christmas celebrations reflect the continuation of his rhetoric that seeks to legitimize Russia's military actions in Ukraine, presenting them as a sacred mission. This position may indicate the Kremlin's intention to maintain the morale of the military and the population amid a prolonged war that has caused significant humanitarian and socio-economic consequences. The lack of emphasis on peaceful solutions indicates that military escalation remains a priority for the Russian leadership.