Overview
- The Russian Presidential Administration said on Jan. 7 that Putin visited a church in the Moscow suburbs for Russian Orthodox Christmas.
- He joined a worship service with soldiers and praised their “sacred” duty to defend the motherland.
- The appearance blended religious observance with state messaging that elevates military service as a moral responsibility.
- Kyodo and Reuters distributed the announcement, and Japanese outlets republished it with a Reuters-credited photograph.
- Putin also commended religious groups for charity efforts aiding people in need, participants in the “special military operation,” and veterans.