Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine over Orthodox Christmas.
The ceasefire, according to the Kremlin, takes place from January 6 to 7.
This is the first time Russia introduced a full ceasefire in Ukraine since the launch of the offensive in February last year.
The announcement comes following a request for a ceasefire during the religious holiday from Russia’s 76-year-old Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill.
“I instruct the defence minister of the Russian Federation to introduce from 12:00 (0900 GMT) on January 6, 2023 until 24:00 (2100 GMT) on January 7, 2023 a ceasefire along the entire line of contact between the sides in Ukraine,” the Kremlin said in a statement.
“Given the fact that a large number of citizens professing Orthodoxy live in the areas of combat, we call on the Ukrainian side to declare a ceasefire and give them the opportunity to attend church services on Christmas Eve, as well as on the Day of the Nativity of Christ,” the statement added.
In Russia, Orthodox Christmas is considered a high holiday, after it was all but wiped out during Soviet rule.
It falls on 7 January (in accordance with the Julian calendar used by the Russian Orthodox church) with the day before seeing those who celebrate attend long religious services, followed by a traditional feast of 12 courses.
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