A paranoid Vladimir Putin attended church with a large security team as he fears assassination.
Vladimir Putin attended church with a large security team
The Russian president attended a service at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow at the weekend to mark Orthodox Easter and dozens of dark-suited security operatives were seen taking up positions around the church before Putin entered the building.
The operatives were believed to be FSO Federal Protection Service guards, whose task is to keep Putin and other top Kremlin officials safe.
The despot admitted that the second Orthodox Easter of Russia's war with Ukraine came at a time of "serious challenges" for the nation.
Putin said: "The wonderful, beloved Easter holiday gives believers hope, inspires good thoughts and deeds, and serves to affirm high moral ideals and values in society.
"The Church has always been together with the people, sharing joys and hardships with them.
"And today, in the face of serious challenges, it is actively involved in the affairs of mercy and charity, helping people find a strong spiritual support."
Russia's top churchman Patriarch Kirill gave his blessing to Putin's invasion of Ukraine and told the tyrant that the land he has snatched is traditional Russian territory.
He said: "Today, I am addressing both Russians and Ukrainians. I especially appeal to those who, against their will, were involved in this conflict.
"We must do everything by the power of our prayers and good deeds to stop this conflict as soon as possible, so that peace and a common good life, fraternal relations once again unite our peoples firmly and firmly, who were the one people of united Rus."