Ukrainians have been eagerly awaiting Orthodox Christmas since the start of Russia's invasion, but Moscow's purported 36-hour ceasefire didn't eventuate.
Fighting has persisted in Ukraine despite Moscow's purported order for a temporary ceasefire to mark Orthodox Christmas.
War-scarred cities in eastern Ukraine saw no significant let-up in the fighting, with AFP journalists in the town of Chasiv Yar south of the frontline city of Bakhmut hearing heavy artillery fire throughout much of Saturday morning. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his evening address, said he was happy to see so many people attend the service on a day that "has already become historic for Ukraine, for the spiritual independence of our people".
Mr Putin's order to stop fighting came after Moscow suffered its heaviest casualties in a single attack yet, with Ukrainian strikes killing at least 89 troops in the eastern town of Makiivka."We've waited for this shrine for a long time," Veronika Martyniuk told AFP outside the church. The Ukrainian Church was previously under Moscow's jurisdiction but severed ties after Russia launched its invasion last February.
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