A mural depicting a Russian soldier tending to an injured Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) serviceman has been displayed in Valaam. The artwork, located in the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God, was featured in a "Russia 1" broadcast covering Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko's visit to the monastery. The "Agency" reported on this development.
The Russian TV report stated: "This church honors Russian soldiers from all historical periods, including those involved in the special military operation. One fresco even shows our warrior, standing before the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands, administering first aid to a wounded AFU soldier."
The mural includes distinctive symbols: the letter "Z" in St. George's ribbon colors on the Russian soldier's arm, while the Ukrainian soldier wears a bandage featuring his country's flag.
Records from the Moscow Patriarchate's military department indicate the fresco was installed by August 2023 at the latest. However, the publication notes this detail initially received little public attention at the time.