An Orthodox priest in a gold embroidered vestment chants a prayer for Russia: "For our blessed country, its rulers and its army."

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In the congregation are Russian servicemen. They cross themselves with three fingers according to the Orthodox tradition.

Ukraine isn't mentioned in the mass. But it's on people's minds.

"In our family, we have a lot of young men who are serving there," one of the worshippers, Ludmila, tells me. "God won't abandon them. They will definitely return home."

Many Russian soldiers haven't.

Just a few metres away, in the village cemetery, there are two dozen fresh graves of Russian paratroopers.

The burial ground is carpeted with wreaths, while banners of the men's regiment flutter in the wind. Attached to wooden crosses are plaques with names and dates of death.

All these soldiers were killed after 24 February: the day Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

The scene is a stark reminder of the "significant losses" the Kremlin admits Russia has suffered in Ukraine.

The invasion was President Vladimir Putin's idea. He ordered it. It is his "special military operation".

Despite the thousands of civilian deaths in Ukraine, the Kremlin leader has displayed no remorse, no hint of regret over his decision to attack a sovereign, independent nation.

But what of the Russian public? More than five months on, do Russians believe their president took the right decision?

In the big cities, such as Moscow and St Petersburg, it's not uncommon to hear people criticise the Kremlin's "special operation".