Putin’s Unilateral Christmas Ceasefire Holding; Ukraine Warns Of ‘False Flag’ Attack On Churches

Russia’s unilaterally declared Christmas ceasefire has now been in effect for four hours, as it began at noon Moscow time. While multiple explosions were reported in Kherson an hour before the ceasefire, reportedly killing one and leaving four injured, and there was shelling in Kramatorsk (Donetsk) region, there have been no reports of significant exchange of fire since noon (local time).

Russian state media on Friday announced, “At noon today, the ceasefire regime came into force on the entire contact line,” according to national broadcaster Channel One. “It will continue until the end of January 7.”

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The 36-hour ceasefire was initially urged by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, before hours later being ordered by Putin, but which was swiftly rejected by both Kiev and Washington as a “cynical ploy” and “trap” – which they fear will allow Russian forces to regroup.

However, the Russian side described it was to allow Orthodox believers to attend Christmas church services, which in the Eastern Orthodox Slavic lands falls on Jan.6th (Christmas Eve) through Jan.7th.

Still, Ukrainian authorities are urging citizens in occupied areas to not attend church services today or tomorrow on fears that attack on places of worship will occur. 

Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk has claimed that Russian forces are planning a ‘false flag’ attack. “Ukraine has received information that Russians are preparing terrorist attacks in churches,” Vereshchuk said Friday.

According to more in Sky News:

This morning, Ukrainian open source intelligence group InformNapalm reported getting tip-offs about planned false-flag attacks in churches in occupied territories. 

A false-flag attack is aimed at putting the blame on the other party – so it would be an attempt to make Ukraine appear as if it is breaking the current temporary ceasefire. 

As has at times been the case throughout the conflict, once these claims of “false flag is coming” begin circulating, it sometimes is presage to an actual event around the corner. In this case, any strike on or near church grounds would certainly shatter the fragile unilateral truce – and would without doubt be immediately blamed on the Russian side.

Pro-Russian fighters in Donbas said they came under shelling attack just as the ceasefire went into effect:

⚡️#BREAKING Donetsk authorities: Ukrainian forces shelled the Petrovsky neighborhood of Donetsk with 6 artillery shells as the truce began

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) January 6, 2023

Meanwhile, the Pentagon says it is “deeply skeptical” about Putin’s intent in calling for the 36-hour ceasefire. “I think that there’s significant scepticism both here in the US and around the world right now, given Russia’s long track record of propaganda, disinformation, and its relentless attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians,” Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said in a press briefing. “Our focus will continue to be on supporting Ukraine,” Ryder added.

It remains to be seen, and is perhaps unlikely, that this ceasefire can go a full 36-hours; however, if it holds for a significant amount of time this could serve as a hoped-for precursor to future, possibly more permanent ceasefire leading to negotiated settlement to an end to the war.