INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
President Vladimir Putin has blasted the West for trying to "tear Russia apart" and said in a nationally broadcast interview on Sunday that
his offensive in Ukraine aimed to "unite the Russian people."Meanwhile in Kyiv, a day after deadly shelling in southern Ukraine, residents
held Christmas services on Sunday, defying Russian spiritual leaders who celebrate it on Jan
and justifying his 10-month offensive in Ukraine.He said Russia's "geopolitical opponents [were] aiming to tear apart Russia, the historical
Russia.""Divide and conquer, that's what they have always sought to accomplish and are still seeking to do," Putin added."But our goal is
different: it's to unite the Russian people," he said.Putin declared his government was acting "in the right direction ..
appeared unfazed when asked about the new air defense system the United States will deliver to Ukraine."Of course we will destroy it, 100%!"
in his first trip outside Ukraine since the offensive began, Zelensky earned firm pledges of support from U.S
President Joe Biden, including the Pentagon's most advanced air defense system.Western military and financial aid has been crucial for
from the city, it remains within reach of Moscow's weaponry and under constant threat.The Ukrainian army counted 71 strikes on the partly
recaptured Kherson region on Saturday, including 41 on the city.This included deadly shelling on a busy market in the city center that left
10 people dead and 55 injured.The Russian-installed head of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, wrote on Telegram that the shelling was "a
to everyone who came to Kherson to help
To save the wounded from the terrorists' strike on Christmas
Artillery and mortar against ordinary Kherson streets ..
services, in break with the Russian spiritual leaders who will mark the holiday in two weeks.At a service in central Kyiv, worshipper Olga
"We cannot do this with Russia, remain under its influence."Also attending the service, Olena Zakharova-Gorianska said she was happy to be
celebrating Christmas on Dec
of moving the Christian holy day to Dec
25, jumping from 26% in 2021 to 44% in 2022, though 31% were still against it.Ukraine had been under Moscow's spiritual leadership since at
least the 17th century, but part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church broke with Moscow in 2019 over Russia's annexation of Crimea and support
Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Pope Francis called for an end to the conflict."May the Lord..
enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war!" the
