Listen to the article
Russia’s Putin Frames Ukraine War as “Holy Mission” During Christmas Service
Russian President Vladimir Putin used a Christmas church service to characterize Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a divinely ordained undertaking, claiming that Russian troops are carrying out a “holy mission” to defend their homeland “on God’s instruction,” according to Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD).
The CCD, which operates under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, reported that Putin celebrated Christmas alongside military personnel and their families, using the religious occasion to further justify the ongoing war against Ukraine, now approaching its third year.
“During the Christmas service, Putin stated that Russian troops, ‘on God’s instruction,’ are carrying out a ‘holy mission’ to defend the homeland,” the CCD said in a statement shared on Facebook. “In effect, the war was presented not as a political decision by the Kremlin, but as a sacred, God-pleasing duty.”
This religious framing represents what Ukrainian officials describe as a systematic Kremlin propaganda effort to portray the invasion as a “holy war” rather than a geopolitical conflict. The CCD emphasized that this blending of religious rhetoric, state ideology, and military action reflects the increasing militarization of Russian society under Putin’s leadership.
“While throughout the world Christmas remains a holiday of peace, love, and family, Putin is turning it into an instrument of military propaganda,” the CCD noted. “Instead of words about reconciliation — glorification of war; instead of family warmth — demonstrative closeness to the army.”
The Orthodox Christmas celebration, which falls on January 7 according to the Julian calendar used by the Russian Orthodox Church, has become another platform for the Kremlin’s war messaging. This religious justification for military action follows a pattern of increasing nationalist rhetoric in Russia, where the state, church, and military have become increasingly intertwined.
Military analysts suggest this religious framing serves multiple purposes for the Kremlin. By positioning the war as a sacred duty, Putin appeals to conservative Orthodox believers while simultaneously elevating the conflict beyond criticism—characterizing opposition to the war as not just unpatriotic but potentially sacrilegious.
The religious narrative also helps prepare the Russian populace for continued hardship and sacrifice. “Putin’s militarized Christmas once again shows that the Kremlin is preparing Russian society for a long war,” the CCD concluded in its assessment.
This latest rhetoric comes amid reports that Russia is intensifying efforts to militarize its youth, with military training programs reportedly shedding their educational facades in favor of more explicit preparation for future military service. These developments suggest the Kremlin anticipates a protracted conflict requiring long-term societal mobilization.
The war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties on both sides and created Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II. Recent diplomatic efforts, including reported meetings between Ukrainian and U.S. officials regarding a potential framework to end hostilities, continue alongside the escalating rhetoric.
International religious leaders, including Pope Francis, have repeatedly called for peace in Ukraine, creating a stark contrast with Putin’s militarized religious messaging. The Russian Orthodox Church, under Patriarch Kirill, has largely supported the Kremlin’s war effort, further underscoring the political alignment between church and state in contemporary Russia.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
This is a concerning development. The Kremlin’s attempt to frame the Ukraine invasion as a ‘holy war’ is a blatant misuse of religion to justify aggression. Weaponizing faith for political ends is a dangerous propaganda tactic that must be condemned.
It’s deeply disturbing to see Putin exploiting religion in this way. Characterizing the invasion of Ukraine as a ‘holy mission’ is a transparent attempt to cloak his geopolitical ambitions in the language of divine righteousness. This is a dangerous propaganda tactic that must be condemned.
It’s deeply troubling to see Putin cynically exploit religion to rally support for his unlawful invasion. Portraying the conflict as a ‘sacred, God-pleasing duty’ is a transparent ploy to cloak his geopolitical ambitions in the mantle of divine righteousness.
You’re right, this religious framing is a transparent attempt to lend moral legitimacy to an unjustified war of aggression. It’s a blatant misuse of faith for political gain.
This is a concerning development that warrants close scrutiny. The Kremlin’s use of religious rhetoric to frame the Ukraine invasion as a ‘sacred duty’ is a blatant attempt to manipulate public sentiment and obscure the political nature of the conflict.
It’s deeply disturbing to see Putin exploiting religion in this way. Framing the invasion of Ukraine as a ‘holy mission’ is a transparent attempt to cloak his political agenda in the rhetoric of divine righteousness. This is a dangerous propaganda tactic that must be condemned.
Agreed, this religious framing is a clear abuse of faith for political ends. Portraying the conflict as a sacred duty rather than a geopolitical decision is a cynical manipulation of religious sentiment.
The Kremlin’s efforts to portray the Ukraine invasion as a ‘holy war’ are deeply troubling. Invoking religion to justify military aggression is a perversion of faith and a transparent attempt to lend moral legitimacy to an unlawful act of war.
The Kremlin’s weaponization of religion in its propaganda around the Ukraine war is extremely concerning. Invoking ‘God’s instruction’ to justify military action is a perversion of faith and an affront to true religious values.