2023-04-16 13:48:05
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Russians and Ukrainians celebrate Orthodox Easter this Sunday, the most important celebration of the Orthodox calendar, both in Russia and Ukraine, in an atmosphere of war. Between exchanges of accusations and appeals for peace, eastern Ukraine is currently experiencing unprecedented bloody battles for control of the strategic city of Bakhmut.
On the occasion of the most important celebration of the Orthodox calendar, Kiev and Moscow exchanged prisoners. Among those released are military, border and national guards, sailors and special service personnel, captured on the Bakhmut, Soledar, Zaporijia and Kherson fronts, who were welcomed back home as heroes in both countries.
The chairman of the Ukrainian presidential office, Andriy Yermak, celebrated this achievement, stating that “the quintessence of this holiday is hope”, something that was resented by the relatives of the more than 130 prisoners, who “for so long awaited his return”.
“Ours are returning home. It’s Easter. The quintessence of this holiday is hope. This is exactly what the relatives of the prisoners who have waited for them for so long felt.”disse Yermak.
On the Russian side, President Vladimir Putin participated this Sunday in the celebrations and hailed the crucial role of “consolidation” played by the Orthodox Church for society and youth. The president especially thanked Patriarch Cyril, who supported his offensive in Ukraine.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude for your tireless and selfless work to preserve enduring historical, spiritual, moral and family values, to educate and enlighten young people.“, Putin said in a message after attending a liturgy at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
During the Easter Vigil at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Patriarch Cyril dedicated a prayer for peace between the two peoples and called on both sides to do “everything necessary to restore peace in Ukraine as soon as possible”. The patriarch also expressed the hope that the people of Russia and Ukraine would re-establish their “good coexistence, and strong fraternal ties” between peoples, which according to him “was a nation at some point, inhabiting a country, Russia”.
“Sad events, which can even be described as an internal feud, are now taking place in our historic Russian land. Today, I address Russians and Ukrainians, particularly those who have become involved in this conflict against their will: with force our prayer, and our good deeds, and our good intentions, we must do everything in our power to end this conflict as soon as possible”.
The conflict continues on the front lines
Between exchanges of accusations and appeals for peace, eastern Ukraine is currently experiencing unprecedented bloody battles for control of the strategic city of Bakhmut. Prigozhin’s men from the Wagner group announced the capture of two more locations in the city.
The number of bombings of civilian sites by both armies continues to increase.
Ukrainian officials said Russian missiles on Friday hit several residential buildings in Sloviansk, in eastern Ukraine, leaving about 11 people dead and 21 others injured. On the other hand, the acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic accused the Ukrainian army of having bombed the Donetsk Transfiguration Cathedral during Sunday’s Easter Vigil, causing one fatality.
Top diplomats from Europe and North America began arriving in Hiroshima, Japan, this weekend for the G7 meeting. The meeting will mainly serve to discuss the world’s most intractable crises, including ways to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
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