The Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill has been seen on the frontline inside Ukraine where he and other priests are praying for the troops.
Back home in Russia, the special operation in Ukraine is considered a Holy war against Western ideology and values by attacking Ukraine.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine Capital Kyiv, US President Joe Biden arrived in Kyiv in a surprise visit on Monday, strolling through the center of the capital with President Zelensky as air raid sirens rang out across Ukraine.
“America stands with you and the world stands with you. Kyiv has captured a part of my heart. I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about U.S. support for Ukraine in the war.”
Russian President Vladimir “Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us,” he added.
The U.S. president noted he’d visited Ukraine six times as vice-president, adding: “I knew I would be back.”
“Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians,” Zelensky said on Telegram.
The visit comes just a few days before Feb. 24, which marks one year since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Later on Monday it was reported that the Kremlin had been given a heads up to Moscow “hours” ahead of Biden’s “risky” surprise trip to avoid any chance of conflict, a senior White House aide said.
The Ukrainian capital was in lock-down as security troops and police cordoned off sections of the Kyiv center.
Biden and Zelensky were filmed strolling through Mikhailovskaya Square in central Kyiv as air raid sirens rang out.
According to air defense statements, the warnings were triggered by the take-off of Russian fighter jets in neighboring Belarus, a regular late-morning occurrence.
