Orthodox Christmas: Putin celebrates alone, combat operations despite ceasefire

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Kiev, Ukraine

It is the first Orthodox Christmas since Moscow invaded - and for the first time the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine held a Christmas mass in the famous Pechersk Lavra in Kiev.

An emotional moment for the community.

Wasil Rudnitskyi, Orthodox priest

»We are glad that finally a Ukrainian shrine belongs to the Ukrainian Church.«

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has long been associated with the Moscow Patriarchate.

Since Russia's war of aggression, she has renounced it.

Moscow, Russia

Moscow Patriarch Kirill used the Christmas service in Moscow to rail against the Ukrainian Church.

He accused Kyiv of wanting to ruin the pro-Moscow branch of the Orthodox Church.

Patriarch Kirill is considered an ardent supporter of the war - and a close confidant of Vladimir Putin.

He also received praise from the President today for his support of the Moscow armed forces fighting in Ukraine.

However, members of the government or parliament could not be seen during the official broadcast.

But Vladimir Putin was completely alone.

State television shows images of a thoughtful president at the Christmas liturgy on the Kremlin premises – only in the presence of a few ministers.

According to a Kremlin statement, Putin spoke about the meaning of the holiday;

about how this one to - quote - »inspires good deeds«.

Bakhmut, Ukraine

Here in the Bakhmut region of Ukraine, however, the unilateral ceasefire declared by Putin does not appear to last during the Orthodox Christmas celebrations.

Olga Wasilivna, resident

"Everything used to be very orderly here..."

Artillery fire interrupts conversations with an elderly woman who wants to stay in her hometown despite the devastation.

Wasil Liesin, volunteer

'The truce, do you know how it works?

When Putin says there is a truce, it's actually the other way around: there is no truce."

Ukraine rejected the ceasefire as a hypocritical propaganda gesture.

Officially, it is valid until midnight on Saturday.