Ukraine and Russia have marked their third Easter at war, with Moscow launching a barrage of drones at eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on his country to unite in prayer, emphasizing that “life will definitely win over death.” Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin attended an Easter service in Moscow alongside Patriarch Kirill, who avoided making political statements this year. However, Kirill’s previous comments reinforcing the Kremlin’s narrative have drawn condemnation in the past. The Russian Orthodox Church, supported by Putin, has played a significant role in shaping the country’s increasingly conservative values and policies.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has overshadowed Easter celebrations in both countries. While President Zelenskyy referred to God as an ally in the struggle against Russia’s invasion, Putin and Patriarch Kirill attended a nighttime Easter service in Moscow. The Russian Orthodox Church, a key player in shaping Russia’s values under Putin, has refrained from making overtly political statements this year. However, previous remarks by Patriarch Kirill have sparked controversy by reinforcing the Kremlin’s narrative regarding Ukrainian statehood.
The Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill, has played a significant role in shaping Russia’s conservative values under President Putin. While Kirill avoided making political statements during this year’s Easter service, his previous comments have drawn criticism for reinforcing the Kremlin’s narrative regarding Ukraine. The church’s support for Putin’s conservative policies, including restrictions on abortion and anti-LGBT measures, has contributed to Russia’s growing conservative stance. Despite Kirill’s attempts to avoid overtly political statements, the church’s close ties to Putin have raised concerns about its influence on Russian society.
As Ukraine and Russia marked their third Easter at war, Moscow launched a barrage of drones at eastern Ukraine, resulting in injuries to six people. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted the majority of the drones, but one managed to strike in the eastern Kharkiv region. The conflict between the two countries has also impacted the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which split from the Russian Orthodox Church following the 2022 invasion. President Putin has presented himself as a defender of traditional values, which are upheld by the Russian Orthodox Church, in opposition to what he views as the West’s influence.
The Easter celebrations in Ukraine and Russia were overshadowed by the ongoing conflict, with Moscow launching drones at eastern Ukraine during the holiday. President Zelenskyy called on Ukrainians to unite in prayer, while President Putin attended an Easter service in Moscow alongside Patriarch Kirill. The Russian Orthodox Church, a key player in shaping Russia’s conservative values under Putin, has refrained from making political statements this year. However, Kirill’s past remarks have reinforced the Kremlin’s narrative regarding Ukrainian statehood, drawing criticism both domestically and internationally.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has had a profound impact on the two countries’ traditional Easter celebrations. While President Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of unity and faith in the face of Russia’s invasion, President Putin and Patriarch Kirill attended a nighttime Easter service in Moscow. The Russian Orthodox Church, closely aligned with Putin’s conservative policies, has refrained from making political statements this year. However, Kirill’s previous comments have sparked controversy by reinforcing the Kremlin’s narrative, raising concerns about the church’s influence on Russian society and politics.
