Accusing the West of attempting to “tear apart” Russia, President Vladimir Putin declared that his offensive in Ukraine meant to “unite the Russian people.”
While this was happening, people of Kyiv held Christmas services on Sunday, defying Russian religious authorities who observe it on January 7 and a day after horrific bombardment in southern Ukraine.
By asserting that Ukrainians and Russians are one people and undermining Kyiv’s sovereignty, Putin has utilized the idea of “historical Russia” to support his 10-month onslaught in Ukraine.
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In quotes from an interview that will run later on Sunday, Putin claimed that Russia’s “geopolitical adversaries (were) seeking to pull apart Russia, the historical Russia.”
“Divide and conquer, that’s what they have always sought to accomplish and are still seeking to do,” Putin added.
“But our goal is different: it’s to unite the Russian people,” he said.
Putin said his government was acting “in the right direction… protecting our national interests, the interests of our citizens, of our people.”
When questioned about the new air defense system that the United States will give to Ukraine, he reiterated that Moscow was willing to discuss and showed no sign of flinching.
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“Of course we will destroy it, 100 percent!” Putin said, referring to the Patriot missile battery promised to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kherson ‘terror’
Zelensky received strong backing from US President Joe Biden during his first travel outside of Ukraine since the offensive started, including the most cutting-edge air defense system in the Pentagon.
In order for Ukraine to repel Russian forces, including from Kherson, the sole regional capital still occupied by Russia, Western military and financial assistance has been essential.
Kherson is under constant threat from Moscow’s weapons notwithstanding Russia’s withdrawal from the city.
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On Saturday, the Ukrainian army recorded 71 attacks on the partially retaken area, including 41 on the capital city, also called Kherson.
This included lethal shelling on a crowded market in the middle of the city, which resulted in 10 fatalities and 55 injuries.
Vladimir Saldo, the regional leader of Kherson who was appointed by Russia, claimed on Telegram that the shelling was “a terrible provocation” by Ukraine used to accuse Russia.
Zelensky denounced the “horror” inflicted by the Russians and exhorted his countrymen to endure as they observed a destructive Christmas eve.
As Orthodox Christians attended Christmas services on Sunday in Kyiv, they broke with the Russian spiritual authorities who will observe the holiday in two weeks. Church bells rang around the city.
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Olga Stanko, a worshipper during a ceremony in the heart of Kyiv, told Newsmen that she backed any action that would set Ukraine apart from Russia.
“The war has brought us so much grief,” she said. “We cannot do this with Russia, remain under its influence.”
The choice made by certain churches in Ukraine to celebrate Christmas on December 25 serves as a reminder of the growing divide between religious authorities in Kyiv and Moscow.
While 31 percent of respondents to an Interfax-Ukraine poll remained opposed to relocating the Christian holy day to December 25, support rose from 26 percent in 2021 to 44 percent in 2022.
Since at least the 17th century, Moscow has served as Ukraine’s spiritual head, but in 2019 the Ukrainian Orthodox Church split with Moscow over the annexation of Crimea and its support of separatists in the east.
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The Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s branch supported by Russia severed ties with Moscow in May.
Pope Francis demanded a resolution to the crisis from St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
“May the Lord… enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war!” the 86-year-old said.
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