As the Russian Orthodox faithful celebrated Christmas on Jan. 7, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin told churchgoers that the country’s troops, “on God’s instruction,” are carrying out a “holy mission” in their brutal invasion of Ukraine.
Putin’s remarks came shortly after Russian troops shelled the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson, according to the Kherson Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. One of the shells hit the main dome of the cathedral, with debris crashing into the interior.
The Center for Countering Disinformation of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council reported on social media that Putin “celebrated Christmas together with servicemen and their families, using the church service once again to justify the war against Ukraine.”
“During the Christmas service, Putin stated that Russian troops, ‘on God’s instruction,’ are carrying out a ‘holy mission’ to defend the homeland. In effect, the war was presented not as a political decision by the Kremlin, but as a sacred, God-pleasing duty,” the CCD wrote.
The Center noted that this is no a new propaganda technique for the Kremlin, to present aggression against Ukraine as a “holy war.”
“While throughout the world Christmas remains a holiday of peace, love, and family, Putin is turning it into an instrument of military propaganda,” the Center explained. “Instead of words about reconciliation — glorification of war; instead of family warmth — demonstrative closeness to the army. Putin’s militarized Christmas once again shows that the Kremlin is preparing Russian society for a long war,” the CCD stressed.