Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered a one-day ceasefire on the occasion of Orthodox Christmas, just hours after Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Orthodox Church, requested it.
«Taking into account the request of Patriarch Kirill, I ask Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to implement a cease-fire on the entire front line on January 6 from 12.00 (local time),» the Kremlin said in a statement.
Thus, Putin stipulated that the truce will remain in force until 00.00 on January 8 and pointed out that the measure was taken «taking into account the large number of citizens professing the Orthodox religion and living in the combat zones».
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
