Reality of Ukraine war hidden from Fortress Russia



In the village of Vybuty, a large crowd has gathered outside a church. People are queuing up to kiss the icon of a saint.

An Orthodox priest in a gold embroidered vestment chants a prayer for Russia: "For our blessed country, its rulers and its army."

In the congregation are Russian servicemen. They cross themselves with three fingers according to the Orthodox tradition.

Ukraine isn't mentioned in the mass. But it's on people's minds.

"In our family, we have a lot of young men who are serving there," one of the worshippers, Ludmila, tells me. "God won't abandon them. They will definitely return home."

Many Russian soldiers haven't.

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