Russian President Vladimir Putin celebrated Orthodox Christmas Eve together with soldiers involved in the conflict in Ukraine and their families at the Church of St. George the Victorious on Poklonnaya Hill in Moscow.
The news was announced by the Kremlin, adding that the president then went to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in the center of the capital to congratulate Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church.
"At Putin's request, Patriarch Kirill blessed pectoral crosses for the commanders of troop groups performing particularly important tasks in the area of the Northern Military District," the announcement reads.
"On Christmas days, we feel clearly, with all our hearts, how important paternal and family traditions, passed down from generation to generation, are for us," Putin wrote in a greeting message to Orthodox Christians. (A2 Televizion)
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