On Orthodox Easter weekend in 2024, Ukraine experienced a series of drone and missile attacks by Russia, heightening tensions amidst ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the Ukrainian air force managed to intercept 23 out of 24 Shahed drones launched by Russia. The attacks resulted in the wounding of six civilians, including a child, and at least four fatalities, with over a dozen others injured across different regions.

In response to the escalating violence, President Zelenskyy delivered multiple addresses urging unity and prayer, emphasizing faith and resilience in the face of adversity. He stressed the theme of overcoming darkness with life, symbolically wearing traditional attire during his speech from Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral.

Due to safety concerns, authorities in Kyiv recommended residents to participate in Orthodox Easter services online. This advice came as part of precautions against further attacks during public gatherings.

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended an Easter service at Christ the Savior Cathedral, led by Patriarch Kirill, a prominent supporter of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. While President Putin’s remarks during the service did not explicitly address the conflict, Patriarch Kirill’s prayers included petitions for the protection of Russia’s borders and a resolution to the war.

The religious occasion underscored the deeper religious splits within Ukraine itself, marked by the division between the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which remained loyal to Moscow until 2022.

Despite the festive period, the shadow of the ongoing conflict loomed, influencing Easter messages and adding a poignant context to the religious practices in both Ukraine and Russia.