Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered his defense minister to implement a ceasefire in Ukraine for 36 hours on 6 and 7 January 2023 to allow Orthodox Christians to attend Christmas services, according to a statement from the Kremlin.<br />'' <br />'' Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on 7 January.<br />'' <br />''Earlier on Thursday, Patriarch Kirill – the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church and a vocal supporter of the war – had called for a temporary ceasefire.