Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to bask in the glory of Russian servicemen and their families during a meeting at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, even as news emerged of a devastating missile strike in eastern Ukraine that claimed the lives of 11 people, including five innocent children.

The meeting, held to celebrate Orthodox Christmas, is seen by analysts as a strategic move to bolster support for Putin ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in March.

The Institute for the Study of War think-tank suggests that Putin’s calculated display of solidarity with the families of deceased Russian servicemen serves a dual purpose.

On one hand, it seeks to garner public support by projecting an image of unity and patriotism, particularly as the Kremlin aims to portray the Russian population as overwhelmingly in favour of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

On the other hand, these carefully orchestrated meetings may be aimed at minimising the risk of any inconvenient questions or statements that could challenge the official narrative.

The families attending Putin’s meeting were reportedly chosen with caution, with ties to the Russian government and military, according to the investigative Russian website Agentstvo.

The move further underscores the Kremlin’s meticulous control over the narrative surrounding the conflict and its efforts to manipulate public perception.

Meanwhile, tragedy struck eastern Ukraine as a Russian missile strike targeted the town of Pokrovsk and nearby villages in Donetsk Oblast, resulting in the deaths of 11 people, including five children.

The attack, which used S-300 missiles, destroyed at least six houses, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Ukrainian officials condemned the assault, pointing to a shift in Russia‘s aerial assault strategy towards frontline cities in the east after days of heavy bombardments on major civilian hubs, including the capital Kyiv.