He made the remarks during a Russian Orthodox Christmas service at the Saint George the Victorious Church outside Moscow on January 6, 2026, where he met veterans of the war in Ukraine and their families.
According to an RT report, Putin told a group of children that Russia has historically viewed its warriors as fulfilling a 'holy mission' under the direction of the Lord, framing military service as more than a duty, but as something spiritual and noble.
'You should be rightfully proud of your fathers and your mothers,' Putin said, emphasising that Russian soldiers have historically protected the Fatherland and its people 'under the direction of the Lord.'
This religious framing was repeated in his Christmas greeting, where he praised Christian organisations for charity work and support for veterans, contributing to social unity and cultural values.
The framing of military service is part of a broader trend where Russia's leadership uses patriotic and spiritual language to rally public support for its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The conflict between the two nations began in February 2014 following Ukraine's "Revolution of Dignity," which led to the Russian annexation of Crimea and an eight-year proxy war in the Donbas region. This escalated into a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, marking the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.
As of January 2026, the war has entered its fourth year of full-scale fighting and remains in an active stalemate; while Russia continues to occupy approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, both sides are engaged in a brutal war of attrition characterised by frequent drone strikes, frontline skirmishes, and a mounting humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions.
Rania Umutoni
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/putin-claims-russian-soldiers-fulfilling-god-s-mission
