RUSSIA-POLITICS-RELIGION-ODTHODOX-CHRISTMAS

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) attends a Christmas service with military personnel and their families at a church in the Moscow Region on January 7, 2026. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7, in the Middle East, Russia and other Orthodox churches that use the old Julian calendar instead of the 17th-century Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics, Protestants, Greek Orthodox and commonly used in secular life around the world. (Photo by Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)