What to remember from January 7th
The truce declared by Russia for Orthodox Christmas is “fake”, according to an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency. For its part, Moscow accuses Ukraine of continuing to shoot at it.
Clashes continued between Russians and Ukrainians, Saturday, January 7, despite Orthodox Christmas, the majority recognition in Russia as in Ukraine. Accusations were made by both sides during the day. Franceinfo takes a look at the main events.
Russia promises a truce until midnight, and Ukraine calls it “fake”
Saturday, as the day before, the Russian military confirmed its intention to observe a truce until Saturday midnight (21:00 GMT). It condemned the continued Ukrainian artillery fire or the attacks on its positions, which forced it to retaliate.
For its part, Ukraine questioned the sincerity of the Russian truce, saying it was a ploy to buy time. Washington, Paris, London, Berlin and the European Union criticized this initiative. Ukraine’s presidential advisor, Mikhalo Podolak, again rejected this Russian truce on Saturday, describing it as “forged”. Russia invaded and killed Ukrainians for 11 months, with fury “But why do you resist then?” Russia has unilaterally declared a real fake “ceasefire” across the entire front line, but continues to grumble ‘Why does Ukraine not support our bogus proposal?“”He wrote in English on Twitter.
In Shasiv Iyar, eastern Ukraine, journalists observed shelling continuing throughout Saturday morning. In Bakhmut, the epicenter of the fighting in the north, the AFP had already heard artillery fire from both sides of the front, in the hours following a unilateral ceasefire by Russia. However, these shots were less intense compared to the previous days.
Vladimir Putin attends a religious service alone in the Kremlin Church
And the Russian president broke from his habit of attending mass in public, in the provinces or on the outskirts of Moscow: He attended a religious service alone in a church in the Kremlin on Friday at midnight.
And in a message released by the Kremlin on Saturday, it sent its congratulations to Orthodox Christians. Church organizations “Support our soldiers” Said the Russian president who are fighting in Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill called the believers to victory “the brothers” Pro-Russian during the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine. Since the start of the attack on Ukraine on February 24, he has given speeches giving his blessing to the Russian forces while criticizing the Ukrainian authorities.
Historical liturgy in Kyiv
In Ukraine, hundreds of worshipers attended a historic mass at Kyiv’s famous Caves Lavra monastery on Saturday. It was previously under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate, but in December it passed into the bosom of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Church.
The office was first headed by Metropolitan Epiphany, the abbot of this church, which separated from the Moscow Patriarchate. “We have been waiting for a long time for this shrine to be handed over to us. This is truly a historical event, which all Ukrainians have been waiting for”Veronica Martiniuc, 19, who directs the choir, told AFP. “Every country has its own church. And we have our own – it’s very good, Ukrainian, that’s how it should be”Oksana Sobko, 47, is a big believer.
“Unapologetic pop culture trailblazer. Freelance troublemaker. Food guru. Alcohol fanatic. Gamer. Explorer. Thinker.”