'Sacred Mission’: Putin Likens Russian Soldiers' Role In Ukraine War To Jesus Christ

Last Updated:January 07, 2026, 17:39 IST

Vladimir Putin said that throughout Russian history, soldiers had been regarded as people performing a “holy mission” on God’s behalf.

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russian soldiers were carrying out a “sacred" and “holy" mission comparable to that of Jesus Christ as he marked the Orthodox Christmas holiday. The Russian leader attended a midnight Christmas service with members of the armed forces and their families at the Church of St. George the Victorious in the Moscow region, the Kremlin said.

“Today we celebrate the wonderful, bright holiday of the Nativity of Christ," Vladimir Putin said in brief remarks after the service, according to a Kremlin transcript.

“We often call the Lord the Savior because He came to Earth to save all people," he said, adding, “In the same way, Russia’s warriors have always carried out this mission- defending the Fatherland, saving the Motherland and its people."

‘Holy Mission Entrusted By God’

Vladimir Putin said that throughout Russian history, soldiers had been regarded as people performing a “holy mission" on God’s behalf, “as if entrusted by the Lord himself." He also addressed the children of military personnel attending the service, telling them they had every right to be proud of their parents, as Russians had “always" taken pride in their soldiers.

The Russian President added that the joy of Christmas was shared by all Russian troops, including those of other faiths, stressing unity within the armed forces.

“We rejoice with them when they celebrate their holidays, just as we all rejoice together in our common victories," Vladimir Putin said, adding, “As is well known, victory is always one for all."

Vladimir Putin has increasingly framed the war in religious, historical and civilizational terms since launching Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He returned to those themes in his New Year’s address last week, saying that “millions" of Russians across the country were standing behind those fighting in Ukraine.

“The strength of our unity determines the sovereignty and security of the Fatherland, its development and its future," Vladimir Putin said, adding that the work and achievements of ordinary citizens were shaping Russia’s “thousand-year history."

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