Russia's Defence Ministry said on Saturday its forces in Ukraine would maintain a ceasefire it unilaterally declared to observe Orthodox Christmas until midnight, despite Ukraine rejecting the truce offer.
Thomson ReutersPlumes of smoke rise from a reported Russian strike on Saturday in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. The attack came after Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces in Ukraine would maintain a ceasefire to observe Orthodox Christmas until the end of Saturday.
Ukraine rejected Moscow's ceasefire offer as a cynical trick designed to give Russian forces the chance to rest and re-arm, and said it would continue to try to recapture territory seized by Moscow.Service members of the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade positioned near Kreminna in the Donbas region said there were no signs of a ceasefire.
"The situation today is exactly the same as yesterday, the day before yesterday, last week and last month. Nothing has changed despite the enemy apparently declaring a ceasefire over Christmas," said Mykola, the unit commander. Russian President Vladimir Putin, centre rear, attends an Orthodox Christmas midnight mass at the Kremlin in Moscow early Saturday.
"It is deeply gratifying to note the enormous constructive contribution of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Christian denominations in unifying society, preserving our historical memory, educating youth and strengthening the institution of family," Putin said.In his nightly televised address on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the United States for announcing $3.
Of 260 million Orthodox Christians in the world, about 100 million are in Russia itself, and some of those abroad are in unity with Moscow.
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