Ukraine today claimed Russia bombed a church in the Zaporizhzhia region of the war-torn country on Orthodox Easter Sunday.
Photos showed the building in ruins with only rubble and rubble in place and a scorched black hole in the ground.
It comes as Putin and a huge security team joined worshipers at a service in Moscow led by Russia’s highest bishop and ally of the president.
The Russian dictator attended Moscow’s largest cathedral, Christ the Savior, to celebrate Orthodox Easter.
Footage showed 76-year-old Patriarch Kirill, the country’s highest cleric, entering the midnight service surrounded by dozens of suit-wearing security officers, mostly in red ties.
Russia reportedly launched a vicious Easter attack overnight when it bombed a church in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region
Shocking photos show how the church has been reduced to nothing but rubble and rubble
They were believed to be FSO Federal Protection Service crack guards who are routinely armed and whose job it is to keep Putin and other top officials safe.
Meanwhile, supporters of Ukraine took to Twitter to share their horror at the bombing of the church in Komyshuvakha village, Zaporizhia region.
Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko posted: “On Easter night, the Russians destroyed a church near Zaporizhzhia. And they call Ukrainians Nazis and Satanists.’
Another commented, “r*ssia celebrates Orthodox Easter by bombing a church overnight in the suburbs of my hometown of Zaporizhzhia.”
Ukrainian patriot Anton Gerashchenko confirmed on the social media platform that the church was empty and no one was injured.
He also claimed that Russia attacked Snihurivka, in the Mykolaiv region, and killed two teenagers.
In the meantime, stern-looking agents in Moscow appeared to be on hand to protect Putin from worshipers who underwent intensive security checks before being allowed into the cathedral.
A man carried an Orthodox icon at a church destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid the Russian attack on Ukraine, in Komyshuvakha village, Zaporizhzhia region
Putin and a huge security team joined worshipers at a service in Moscow led by Russia’s highest bishop and ally of the president
The Russian dictator attended Moscow’s largest cathedral, Christ the Savior, to celebrate Orthodox Easter
Hours before the service began, traffic in central Moscow was limited.
Putin admitted that the second Orthodox Easter of his war with Ukraine came at a time of “serious challenges.”
“The beautiful, beloved Easter holiday gives believers hope, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to affirm high moral ideals and values in society,” said Putin, whose war has reportedly killed more than 200,000 people.
“The Church has always been with the people, sharing joys and struggles with them.
“And today, despite serious challenges, it is actively involved in causes of mercy and charity, helping people find strong spiritual support.”
Putin was joined at the ceremony by Moscow mayor Sergey Sobyanin, a close ally.
Kirill delivered a sermon giving his church’s blessing to the invasion of Ukraine by aggressor Putin – telling the dictator that the sovereign land he has invaded is traditionally Russian territory.
Patriarch Kirill (pictured), 76, the country’s top cleric, entered the midnight service surrounded by dozens of suit-wearing security guards, mostly in red ties
Putin admitted that the second Orthodox Easter of his war with Ukraine came at a time of “serious challenges.”
Ukrainian patriot Anton Gerashchenko took to the social media platform to confirm that the destroyed church in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region was empty and no one was injured
“Today, serious events are taking place on our Russian historical land,” he said.
You could say it’s an internal feud.
“And today I address both Russians and Ukrainians. I especially appeal to those who have been involved in this conflict against their will.
“We must do everything by the strength of our prayers and our good deeds to stop this conflict as soon as possible, so that peace and common good life, brotherly relations unite our peoples firmly and firmly again, who were the only people of united Rus .
“Today this will be my special prayer, and I would like to ask all of you to join this prayer so that the Lord blesses the Russian land.
When I say “Russian” I mean “Russian”, from which came the Great Russians, Little Russians and other nationalities, but the same “Russian” with whom we are all connected historically, spiritually and civilizationally.
“After the trials now taking place, may the Lord help us to regain peace, mutual respect, harmony, the ability to live and work together.
Russian Orthodox worshipers attending Easter Orthodox service at Christ the Savior Cathedral
Patriarch Kirill, surrounded by bodyguards during Easter 2023 celebrations
“May the Lord preserve the Russian land, may the Lord preserve all the peoples who historically inhabit this vast part of the country.
“May the Lord preserve our lands, may peace and love be strengthened in relations between us.
‘Happy Easter! Christ is risen!’
During the ceremony, known as the Divine Liturgy, Putin was seen several times.
Concerns about Putin’s security are acute in Russia during the war against Ukraine.
Two weeks ago, pro-Putin blogger and propagandist Vladen Tatarsky was murdered in St Petersburg.
Putin’s official palaces and residences are now protected with advanced air defense systems.
Some reports say he uses body doubles to minimize the risk of murder at large crowd events.
He has also reduced public appearances, citing the danger of covid infection.