We can ask god to help our country, and pray for our orthodox president, vladimir putin. these are uncertain times for russia. the war in ukraine has not gone according to plan, and now, all this talk of a possible ukrainian counteroffensive, and amid such instability, the kremlin relies increasingly on the orthodox church to sustain public support, both for the special military operation and for the president. more icons this one, vladimir putin gave to his commanders fighting in ukraine. he is really a religious man, but this is not about christianity, as such, with these real christian values, because cruelty is not christian values. in that sense, putin is a follower of a very specific kind of religion. in moscow, those queueing to see the holy trinity icon were hoping for miracles.
To see the holy trinity icon were hoping for miracles. it s difficult now with the special military operation , valentina says. we pray for victory . any sensible person will hope the conflict ends soon , says antonina. i think god will help. russia s orthodox church paints the war in ukraine as a holy war, to make russians think that god is on their side. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. lots more on the latest developments in ukraine on the bbc news website and app just search bbc news . and you can download the bbc news app as well. to california now where apple has been announcing its newest products and apps including a brand new product called apple vision pro.
As such with real christian values, because cruelty is not christian values. in that sense, putin is a follower of a very specific kind of religion. in moscow, those queueing to see the holy trinity icon were hoping for miracles. it s difficult now with the special military operation , valentina says. we pray for victory . any sensible person will hope the conflict ends soon , says antonina. i think god will help . russia s orthodox church paints the war in ukraine as a holy war, to make russians think that god is on their side. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. joining me now is our international editor, jeremy bowen. let s talk about the claims and counter claims today. people understandably are having some difficulty trying to unpick what has