Russian President Vladimir Putin extended Christmas greetings to Orthodox Christians, emphasizing the importance of family traditions and the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in uniting people. On January 7,

Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again sought the "blessing" and support of the Moscow Patriarchate of the Orthodox Church for the ongoing war against Ukraine while attending the Divine Liturgy on Eastern Orthodox Christmas Day,

Vladimir Putin has marked Russian Orthodox Christmas by attending church in Moscow alongside fighters in his war against Ukraine and their families - despite being responsible for hundreds of thousands killed.

Russia's invasion, which began in February 2022, has also been a source of religious controversy within the Eastern Orthodox Church and has driven a split among believers in both Russia and Ukraine.Vi

The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin ordered his initials to be engraved on the links of chains for crosses that are to be given to participants in the invasion of Ukraine, including military unit commanders,

The patriarch of Russia's Orthodox Church, celebrating Christmas alongside Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, said on Tuesday that the Western world despised Russia and its "alternative path of civilised development".

Since the start of his "special military operation" in February 2022, Putin has turned to religion and closed ranks with the head of the Orthodox Church to call out what he sees as the decline of Western morality.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent special Christmas gifts to commanders deployed in Ukraine, intended to salute their bravery and boost their morale. On Orthodox Christmas Day, Putin met with Patriarch Kirill,