Overview
- President Vladimir Putin attended an overnight Orthodox Christmas liturgy at the Church of St George the Victorious in the Moscow Region.
- He described Russian soldiers as carrying out a 'holy mission' to defend the Fatherland during remarks after the service.
- Video showed Putin in a dark suit among uniformed servicemen and their families as clerics conducted the liturgy.
- In a Kremlin Christmas greeting, he praised the Russian Orthodox Church and other denominations for strengthening social unity, emphasizing charity, and supporting participants and veterans of the war.
- TASS reported that Putin spoke with congregants after the service, continuing a pattern of holiday appearances near Moscow that has become more common since 2022.