Moscow – Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a ceasefire at the Ukrainian border for Christmas celebrations. Putin said he instructed the defense ministry to declare a ceasefire at the request of Patriarch Kirill. A ceasefire should be implemented along the entire border. The Ukrainian army should also prepare for a ceasefire as many Orthodox sects live in the border areas. Putin also called for believers to be given the opportunity to participate in rituals on Christmas Day.
The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas from January 6 to 7. The ceasefire was announced for 36 hours from Friday noon to Saturday midnight local time. But the Ukrainian government has not responded to the ceasefire. Yesterday the head of the Russian Orthodox Church tried to contact the Ukrainian authorities but without success. Ukraine suspects the ceasefire was a Russian ploy. Orthodox sects in Russia and Ukraine celebrate Christmas from January 6 to 7.
At the same time, Ukraine’s retaliatory strike is straining Russian intelligence. Russia has revealed that 89 of its soldiers were killed in a rocket attack by Ukrainian forces on New Year’s Eve due to illegal use of cell phones. Russian forces suffered the heaviest casualties since the start of the war in Ukraine. 4 of 6 rockets fired by Ukraine hit the weapons depot near the building where the soldiers lived. The impact of the explosion was increased by the weapons catching fire.
English summary: Putin orders ceasefire in Ukraine for Orthodox Christmas
