First service of Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Russian attacks during "truce": today's highlights

220 hits of Russian shells in Zaporizhzhia

Police documented about 220 hits of Russian shells on January 6, when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a “Christmas truce". This was reported by the Main Department of the National Police in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

According to the police, the Russians fired from tanks and mortars and used multiple rocket launchers. Both housing and local civilian infrastructure were damaged.

Also, law enforcement officers registered 13 reports of destroyed houses in Polohy and Vasylivka Raions of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Warehouses and shops were damaged. No injuries were reported.

Success of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

On January 7, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck 21 areas of concentration of Russian troops and conducted three air strikes on the positions of Russian anti-aircraft missile systems. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In addition, Ukrainian missile and artillery specialists hit 4 areas of concentration of manpower and 2 ammunition depots of Russian troops.

Zelenskyy imposed sanctions against 119 Russian cultural figures

By his decree, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of January 6, 2023. He imposed sanctions against 119 Russian cultural figures. This is stated on the website of the President's Office.

The imposed sanctions include, among other things:

• blocking of assets on the territory of Ukraine;
• complete cessation of trade operations;
• termination of cultural exchanges, scientific cooperation, educational and sports contacts;
• refusal to grant and cancellation of visas;
• deprivation of state awards of Ukraine and other forms of recognition;
• prohibition to acquire ownership of land plots;
• preventing the withdrawal of capital from Ukraine.

Restrictions for Russian figures were imposed for 10 years.

Border guards snipers forced occupiers to retreat near Bakhmut

Near Bakhmut, servicemen of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine stopped the attack of the occupiers, eliminating their commander and machine gunner. This is reported on the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine website.

The occupiers' infantry unit was moving to attack a stronghold of the Ukrainian military in one of the directions near Bakhmut.

Border guard snipers, observing the enemy, identified and eliminated the head and machine gunner of the unit.

“The occupiers, having lost control of the unit, were afraid to attack and fled,” the State Border Guard Service noted.

The first Christmas of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

The Dormition Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra hosted the first Christmas service of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine led by Metropolitan Epiphanius. Previously, only the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate held services here.

During the Christmas service in the Dormition Cathedral, Metropolitan Epiphanius stressed that the Lavra was being freed from the “captivity of the Russian world”. He separately mentioned Ukrainians who suffer from Russians in the occupied territories and also paid tribute to the soldiers.

So far, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine has received permission for one more service in the Dormition Cathedral. There is no decision on the further fate of the temple. It is expected in February.

Shelling of Bakhmut

On January 6, Russian troops shelled Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast. This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General.

According to the investigation, on January 6, Russians shelled Bakhmut and Bakhmut Raion with artillery. Mortar attacks claimed the lives of a 66-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman. And 13 wounded suffered mine-blast injuries and shrapnel wounds.

Private households, apartment buildings, and other facilities were also damaged and destroyed as a result of the shelling.