Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, made an unusual statement in his sermon this Sunday. He said that all sins will be washed away for the soldiers who die in Ukraine.
"We are aware that those who die fulfilling their military duty sacrifice themselves for others. This sacrifice cleanses all the sins committed," the patriarch said in a video shared on social networks.
In recent days, Kirill had called on the faithful to engage in war.
"Go bravely to do your military duty. And remember that if you die for your country, you will be with God in his kingdom."
While Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Russian Jewish community to make a "strong contribution" to the country's multi-ethnic identity. He made the statement in a message on the occasion of the Jewish New Year.
"It is very important that by remaining faithful to the spiritual traditions, the Jews of Russia make a powerful contribution to the cultural diversity in our country.
This is to strengthen inter-ethnic harmony and the principles of mutual respect and religious tolerance," he said.
However, tens of thousands of Jews have left Russia since the war began. Others are expected to flee after the announcement of mobilization.
On the other hand, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told the BBC that Moscow is holding civilians hostage. "Civilians have not been released during some prisoner exchanges. Civilians should be returned, not exchanged.
There are many women among them. Women must be freed, because the Russians are behaving terribly. They abuse, beat our women, torture our women. The world should not watch in silence as our women are killed in prisons," she said.