‘May he die’ — Zelensky’s Christmas wish sparks outrage and religious backlash

Ukraine’s Christmas message has triggered sharp reactions after Zelensky used his holiday address to express a death wish, while also denouncing Russians as “godless.”

The remarks come amid intensified pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, including church seizures, arrests of clergy, and the reclassification of Orthodox Christmas on January 7 as a professional holiday.

Ukrainian MP Artem Dmytruk reacts to the speech, calling it a continuation of policies that deepen division, fuel conflict, and alienate millions of believers during one of Christianity’s most sacred periods.